How is flood defined by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) defines flood as a condition of partial or complete inundation of multiple acres or properties. This definition captures the essence of flooding, which typically affects a broad area rather than being limited to a single property. Flooding usually results from various factors such as excessive rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or storm surges, leading to widespread water accumulation that can impact homes, businesses, and infrastructure across a significant geographic area.

This broad definition aligns with the NFIP's purpose of providing coverage for damages resulting from such widespread flooding events, reflecting the realities of how floods can disrupt communities and ecosystems. It emphasizes that a flood is not merely about rainfall or localized water accumulation, but rather about the extent and the number of properties involved.