When high water levels overflow natural or artificial banks in any part of a stream, river, estuary, lake or dam, local overland flooding can occur. Flooding can also be caused by storm induced elevated sea levels or large waves generated by storms or tsunamis.
Due to the low lying topography of many regions of Australia and a history of establishing communities in flood plain regions many homes, farms and businesses across Australia are susceptible to flooding.
The nature of flooding can vary dramatically in terms of cause, timing, and depth between different locations.
