List of floods

Die erschreckliche Wasser-Fluth (Burchardiflut 1634, Stich)

List of Floods

Floods are among the most common and widespread of all natural disasters, affecting millions of people and causing significant economic damage each year. This article provides an overview of some of the most notable floods in human history, categorized by continent and, where applicable, by country.

Africa

• Mozambique Floods (2000): One of the worst natural disasters in Mozambique's history, caused by heavy rainfall followed by a cyclone. It affected around 4.5 million people and led to significant loss of life and displacement.
• Nigeria Floods (2012): Considered the country's worst flooding in 40 years, it affected 30 of Nigeria's 36 states, displacing millions and causing extensive damage to property and farmland.

Asia

• 1931 China Floods: One of the deadliest natural disasters ever recorded, affecting the central Yangtze River basin. It is estimated that the floods caused the deaths of between 1 million and 4 million people.
• 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: Although primarily a tsunami event, it caused widespread flooding in coastal areas across 14 countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand, leading to over 230,000 deaths.
• Pakistan Floods (2010): Resulting from monsoon rains, it is considered the worst flood in Pakistan's history, affecting 20 million people, destroying homes, and submerging one-fifth of Pakistan's land area.

Europe

• North Sea Flood (1953): A major flood affecting the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Belgium. It caused over 2,000 deaths in the Netherlands and hundreds more in the UK and Belgium, leading to significant changes in flood defense mechanisms.
• Central Europe Floods (2002): Affecting countries including Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, these floods caused extensive damage and were noted for their impact on historic cities like Prague.

North America

• Mississippi Floods (1927): One of the most destructive river floods in the history of the United States, affecting millions of people across several states and leading to significant changes in U.S. flood control policies.
• Hurricane Katrina (2005): Although primarily known as a hurricane, Katrina caused severe flooding in New Orleans and other parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life.

South America

• Venezuela Floods (1999): Known as the Vargas tragedy, this catastrophic flooding and mudslides affected the coastal state of Vargas, causing tens of thousands of deaths and massive destruction.

Oceania

• Queensland Floods (2010-2011): A series of floods hitting Queensland, Australia, over several months, causing billions in damage and affecting thousands of homes and businesses.

See also

• Flood control
• Flood forecasting
• Climate change and flooding