In both of these cases, the flooding was caused by unusually heavy or prolonged rains that exceeded soil water-storage capacity and the ability of streams and rivers to contain the extra volume without overflowing their banks.
(the flooding; was caused; by unusually heavy or prolonged rains; T:In both of these cases) (unusually heavy or prolonged rains; exceeded; soil water-storage capacity and the ability of streams and rivers)
the flooding unusually heavy or prolonged rains
was caused exceeded
by unusually heavy or prolonged rains T:In both of these cases
soil water-storage capacity and the ability of streams and rivers