River Flooding, or Fluvial Flooding, can happen when rivers are filled above their capacity by rains or excessive runoff from areas upstream. That means you may suffer flooding even if your area didn't receive any rain. This kind of flooding can erode river banks and cause risk to river-side homes and structures.

Rivers can be overflowed with excessive rain and snowmelt causing overbank flooding. Additionally, flash flooding can occur when a sudden massive amount of water is deposited into a river. This can be caused by swift, heavy rainfall or dam failure. Flash flooding is made more dangerous by the risk of debris hurtling through flowing water. The force of water can turn this debris into underwater projectiles. 

You can protect your home against fluvial flooding by having flood insurance, elevating/floodproofing your home, and building outside of an area that is at risk of river flooding.