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Hurricanes
Weather is unpredictable -- one minute you're basking in the sun, and the next you're caught up in turbulent weather. One of the most massive producers of flooding is hurricanes. These storms are incredibly unique in that they are predictable -- to an extent. Due to modern meteorology, people know when a hurricane is coming and the general vicinity it will strike. Hurricanes bring massive amounts of water to any coastal area they arrive upon -- usually in the form of high surges of ocean water, as well as massive amounts of rainfall.
Rainfall
Rain occurs as water from the ground turns into water vapor and returns to the sky, creating clouds. Clouds house droplets, which eventually gain enough weight to fall back to the Earth to repeat the cycle. Rainfall can occur for a few seconds, minutes, hours and even over the course of days. Flood dangers arise when areas experience massive amounts of rain, either a high volume in a short period of time or over the course of days. The main danger lay in low-lying areas, where rainwater will collect, potentially flooding homes and structures.
Flash Floods
Flash flooding poses one of the riskiest weather events. These occur from sudden thunderstorms that bring about large amounts of rainfall. The key characteristic of a flash flood is speed; these events often occur in a matter of hours, leaving little time for preparation. Flash floods can devastate low-lying areas very quickly and become especially dangerous in areas around rivers and lakes, as they can quickly cause water levels to increase. Rainfall might also harm regions that are not receiving rainfall at all, as downstream locations can experience significant flooding due to the rise in bodies of water.
Snow-Melts
Snow poses a similar threat to rain, but with a delayed response. Large accumulations of snow can cause significant amounts of water to develop in low-lying areas, which can be especially detrimental in mountainous regions where lots of snowfall often collects. Rivers and bodies of water can often experience rising water-levels as well, much like from a massive rainfall.
Statistics
The most common deaths due to flooding occur in the car -- approximately 76 percent, according to floodsafety.com. Drivers often attempt to navigate flood waters, forgetting that even two feet of water can float a heavy vehicle, and six inches is enough to knock someone to the ground. During the first decade of the new millennium, flood insurance claims averaged more than $2 billion, with New Jersey alone paying out more than $200 million. Over the last several decades, deaths due to flooding are highest on average in Texas.