Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) Practice Exam

What type of flooding occurs in flat areas without effective drainage?

1. Shallow Flooding

2. Storm Surge Flooding

3. Riverine Flooding

4. Coastal Flooding

The correct answer is: Shallow Flooding

This type of flooding is called shallow flooding because it occurs in flat areas that generally have little change in elevation. B is incorrect because storm surge flooding typically occurs in coastal areas during hurricanes and is not solely caused by lack of effective drainage. C is incorrect because riverine flooding is caused by overflowing rivers, not by ineffective drainage systems. D is incorrect because coastal flooding is primarily caused by the ocean's tides and storms, rather than lack of proper drainage. In contrast, shallow flooding is specifically caused by the inability of flat areas to drain excess water effectively.