What scenario would be classified as a flood?

The scenario classified as a flood is when overflowing water from a river causes damage. When water spills over the banks of a river, it can inundate surrounding areas, including homes and fields, leading to significant property and environmental damage. This overwhelming flow of water is what defines flooding, as it represents a natural event where water moves into areas that are typically dry, disrupting the normal landscape and causing harm.

The situation with excessive rain that floods streets while houses remain undamaged does involve a lot of water and may create temporary hazardous conditions, but it does not necessarily result in significant damage, and might not meet specific insurance definitions of a flood depending on the context. Flooding is primarily defined by the overflow of significant amounts of water from natural water bodies, as seen in the case of river overflow, which causes a broader impact on environments and communities.