Check with your local country extension service. They can advise you and likely provide a list of nurseries that sell plants native to your area.

Most plants absorb water over time. That is not the case with flooding. Plantings next to the creek edge are likely to wash out if the velocity of the water increases in a short amount of time. If flooded creeks can move boulders, plants don't stand a chance of staying in the location.

I had a 6 ft storm surge come down the canal I live near and NOTHING stops water unless it's engineered to do so. I had 60 inches of water enter my garage through a hurricane resistant door with a rubber seal at the bottom and sand bags for reinforcement. Bent the steel and aluminum garage door on the way into the garage. The weight of water is hard to imagine.

We have a creek in our backyard and there are tons of rules about planting by it. Im sure not all municipalities are like ours but check with yours. You may need to add a berm or some sort of height to the area so you are above the flood level instead of below. But again all needs to be really check

What you want doesn't exist.

Your best bet is probably a very short berm. You might find mulched beds with short shrubs does enough. No plant is going to instantly absorb a storm surge, so what you need is a physical barrier. If your issue is current water, that's quite different from holding back a 100 year storm surge.

Cor Ten Raised Beds · More Info

Beautiful thank you

If the OP has a berm and her neighbors don't, flood water from the neighboring properties will spill into the OP's yard and be trapped behind the berm, no?

Probably depends on shape of other properties nearby and how high they are etc. I know along our creek it really varies.

Berms can definitely turn into dams if water gets on the other side.

Native plants are a good idea. I would plant a garden. Perennials and shrubs hve strong, deep roots that will drink up water. Grass has very shallow roots, so not ideal if there is a risk of flooding. Check with your local or your state's native plant society. They can help with suggestions for plants that will do well for you. It looks like you have a sunny spot, so if the soil is often moist, look for plants that like those conditions. Do make use of local resources.

You have a lovely spot there! I am envious-would love a stream in my backyard.