flood

When water levels increase due to natural or unnatural causes, use the word "flood" to describe the situation. Floods are caused when there’s too much rain or a large containment of water breaks.

A large storm caused flooding.

There aren’t too many places in the world that don’t have a flood occur at one time or another. This is what the word looks like when it’s used as a noun:

• A large flood wiped out several areas of the city.
• Many people were affected by the flood.
• A flood forced people from their homes.
• Flooding is a problem during and after a storm. ("Flooding" in this sentence is a gerund and it acts as the subject.)
• Flooding and high winds are causing power outages.

You can use "flood" as a verb, but sometimes this word has nothing to do with water. Instead, it describes a large, sudden increase of activity:

• My inbox is flooded with junk mail.
• The police department was flooded with phone calls during the emergency.
• Football fans flooded onto the field after their team won the game.
• Heavy rains flooded the streets of the city.
• Our basement was flooded with several inches of water after a week of rain.

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July 28, 2014