Flood is one of the major natural hazards worldwide including Ethiopia and it causes casualties, infrastructure, and environmental damage. Ethiopia is exposed to frequent flood events that occur at irregular intervals and vary in magnitude, duration, and affected area. Flooding is likely to aggravate as a result of different driving factors such as land use change and climate change. Nowadays, the occurrence and causes of flood risks are increasing from time to time as a result of new developments and human settlements on flood-prone areas. Peak water flows and associated floods are extreme hydrological incidents triggered by torrential rainfall modified by various catchment processes and anthropogenic activities. In this chapter, historical flood events in Ethiopia are reviewed with influencing factors and impacts and challenges.
