What does “flood” mean?

An interesting interpretation question is shaping up in the wake of Hurricane Katrina:  Does damage caused by tidal surge or the breach of a levee count as damage from “water” (which is not covered by most insurance policies) or a “hurricane,” which is?  Insurance companies, claiming that they charged no premiums for flood damage, say that water damage is water damage, whatever natural phenomenon causes it..

Mississippi’s attorney general and its top plaintiffs’ lawyer are suing several companies, claiming that denial of coverage violates the state’s Consumer Protection Act.  (Hat tip: Beth Winston (Whittier)).

[Frank Snyder]