 This paper proposes a conceptual model to explore the interaction between humans and floods in flood plains. It shows how the presence of levees can reduce the frequency of flooding, but at the same time, increase the severity of floods. This leads to a cycle wherein increasingly stringent flood protection measures must be taken to avoid frequent flooding, but with each successive measure, the potential for a catastrophic event increases. This article was authored by G. D. Baldassari, Aviglioni, G. Carr, and others.