Which of the following would NOT be considered a flood?

• A. Sewer backup
• B. River overflow
• C. Storm surge
• D. Heavy rainfall

Answer: (A)

In property and casualty terms, flood is typically defined as inundation of normally dry land from surface water sources, such as rivers overflowing, heavy rains causing surface flooding, or coastal waters pushed inland by a storm surge. Sewer backup, on the other hand, comes from water backing up through the sewer system into a building due to blockages or plumbing failures. That peril isn’t caused by overland floodwaters and is usually treated as a separate coverage item (often requiring an endorsement or a separate policy) rather than a standard flood peril. Therefore, sewer backup would NOT be considered a flood, while river overflow, storm surge, and heavy rainfall all fit the common definition of flood.