Abstract: In view of the frequent occurrence of rainstorm and flood disasters in China and the serious impacts and losses brought by them, this paper summarizes and reviews the research of flood forecasting methods based on the research progress of rainstorm and flood forecasting methods in China. With the continuous development and improvement of satellite remote sensing, geographic information system and other technology, the method of rainstorm flood disaster prediction has been developed from a simple numerical analysis method to a hydrological model prediction method, from simple empirical models, hydrodynamic models, to lumped hydrological models, and then to distributed hydrological models. Through applying the hydrological model prediction method, combined with meteorological and hydrological coupled prediction, we have achieved real-time flood forecasting and dynamic assessment, are continuously improving the accuracy and forecast period of flood forecasting, and have provided reliable data and decision-making basis for storm flood forecasting. Finally, this paper puts forward the shortcomings of current forecasting methods of rainstorm and flood disaster, and discusses that it is necessary to improve the hydrological observation technology, strengthen the coupling between distributed hydrological model and GIS, and strengthen the coupling between distributed hydrological model and meteorological model.