Well I go with the global flood. Here is the explanation from the
Guide to the Scriptures, which is a fairly recent addition the Standard Works
study helps.
GUIDE TO THE SCRIPTURES
Flood At Noah’s Time
During Noah’s time the earth was completely covered with water. This was the baptism of the earth and symbolized a cleansing (1 Pet. 3: 20-21).
God will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh, Gen. 6: 17 (Moses 7: 34, 43, 50-52; 8: 17, 30). The waters of the flood were upon the earth, Gen. 7: 10. God set a bow in the cloud as a token of the covenant, Gen. 9: 9-17. After the waters had receded, the land of America became a choice land, Ether 13: 2. The wicked shall perish in the flood, Moses 7: 38; 8: 24. ( Guide to the Scriptures: Flood At Noah’s Time )
The scriptures, indeed, make a great case for a global flood.
And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. (See Genesis 7)
Incidentally, the earth will also be
cleansed by fire in conjunction with the second coming of Christ and in preparation for her receiving her paradisiacal glory. (See
Guide to the Scriptures: Second Coming of Jesus Christ)
Regards,
Vanhin