An exception would be flooding due to the collapse of a dam, of which there are very few in Florida. There are many conditions and variables that determine whether a lake or river over tops its banks or an ocean rises along its shores. Heavy rainfall itself can also cause floods. This is frequently the case in Florida where thunder storms are often very intense. Severe storms like hurricanes result in storm surges when sustained high winds from one direction push the water level up over beaches and sea walls.
Flooding is worse if high tides occur at the same time.
The size, or magnitude, of a flood is described by a term called recurrence interval. A year flood is one that would occur, on the average, once every five years. Although a 100-year flood is expected to happen only once in a century, there is a 1 percent chance that a flood of that size could happen during any year. Flood plains are lands bordering rivers and streams that normally are dry but are covered with water during floods. Buildings or other structures placed in flood plains can be damaged by floods.