Climate change is responsible for the occurrence of frequent flooding, which has adversely affects soil pH, redox potential, and oxygen availability. This ultimately results in a negative impact on plant growth and yield, thus risking the food security of the exponentially growing population. Flooding restricts oxygen availability for mitochondrial respiration, and energy production, while increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in flood-exposed plants. The uncontrolled production of ROS induces oxidative stress, which negatively regulates the morphological traits, biochemical, physiological, molecular, and signaling cascades of plants subjected to flooding. However, various plant hormones play a central role in regulating plant defense mechanisms in flooded conditions, thereby sustaining plant growth and development. Moreover, the interplay of ethylene and ROS signaling modulates the antioxidant response, adventitious root growth, and programmed cell death of parenchyma cells to induce flood stress tolerance. Some ethylene response factors play a major role in sensing and triggering a subsequent cascade of signaling to stimulate anoxia-related gene expression, thereby enhancing plant adaptation. A further understanding of the underlying signaling pathway along with its components is necessary to develop flood-tolerant crops that can feed a growing population.