From (father being a fireman/worked in many search and rescue operations). TL:DR from a fireman: My father has always been saying "water will find a way". As

From (father being a fireman/worked in many search and rescue operations). TL:DR from a fireman: My father has always been saying "water will find a way". As progress+civilization expand, there is less and less free/open ground. Roads, parking lots, shopping centers, more roads, train tracks (elevated = blocking water), rivers being covered, fires, etc. Water doesn't care, it wants to go through - it will go through. In the "good old days" it would rain X amount up on that mountain, and 10% of X amount will find its way towards your town. Now, burn that mountain, then add 50 roads/highways/etc. Now 40% of X amount will find its way towards your town. By the way your town has 30% less free ground (roads, parking lots, etc.) Thus, floods. You can (rightfully so) poke 100 holes on the above, because each town/village/mountain/river is different, but the point/spirit remains. "Water will find a way". EDIT: I am always fascinated to read in the news that the (e.g.) "Old lake" flooded again after 30 years". Guys!!! The name of the location is "Old Lake", which means that for about a couple of million years water has been converging there. The fact that some people built there, doesn't Water/Nature from doing its thing.