A river flood occurs when a river's flow greatly exceeds its normal capacity, overtopping banks and flooding adjacent areas. It differs from a flash flood in that it is channelled along an existing watercourse.
In Spain
Mediterranean rivers (Segura, Turia, Llobregat) are especially prone due to their fast-response basins. Historic floods on the Turia (1957, 8,000 m³/s) and Segura (2019) caused massive destruction. River channelling, flood-control reservoirs, and early warning systems have reduced casualties, but urbanisation of flood-prone areas creates new risks.