What things can cause floods?

Floods are great flows of water over land that is usually dry. When this happens water accumulates more rapidly than the soil can absorb it. This causes water runoff over the ground. Many things can cause flood. pore spaces may not in be able to take in any more water. This happens because the pore space are already full of water or ice. It usually happens when there are long periods of heavy rain. It also can happen when snow and ice melt in the spring. Runoff from heavy rains or melting ice may become very great in spring. Rivers can't hold all the water pouring into them, and they overflow their banks. In cities storm drains may not be able to carry away water fast enough. In desert very dry soil may not be able to soak up water fast enough. When flood occur houses can be damaged, crops can be washed away, and lives can be lots every time when it happen. In an effort to control floods, people build dams and raise river banks. Even so, there structures can't always hold back the water. Dams some times break or overflow, releasing flood waters suddenly and without warning.