flash flood
Noun: A flash flood is a sudden, rapid, and extremely dangerous local flood characterized by a great volume of water and a very short duration. It typically occurs within minutes or a few hours of intense rainfall, often from a severe thunderstorm, or from the sudden release of water, such as a dam or levee failure.
The term is used to describe a specific, violent type of flooding event that happens with little to no warning. It is most commonly associated with arid and semi-arid regions, steep terrain, or urban areas with poor drainage, where the ground cannot absorb water quickly.
- Noun:
- The dry creek bed filled in minutes during the storm, causing a deadly flash flood.
- Meteorologists issued a flash flood warning for the county.
- Hikers should always check the weather to avoid being caught in a flash flood.
"Flash flood watch": An alert issued by weather services indicating that conditions are favorable for flash flooding in a specified area.
- A flash flood watch is in effect until 8 PM tonight.
"Flash flood warning": A more urgent alert issued when flash flooding is imminent or already occurring.
- Residents in low-lying areas should move to higher ground immediately due to a flash flood warning.
- Flash flooding (noun phrase): The occurrence or process of a flash flood.
- The region experienced severe flash flooding after the hurricane.
- Torrent: A strong and fast-moving stream of water or other liquid. (Less specific to sudden onset.)
- Spate: A sudden flood in a river. (Often implies a river overflowing, but not necessarily as rapid as a flash flood.)
- Deluge: A severe flood; a heavy downpour. (Can be used more broadly for any great flood.)
- Urban flooding: Flooding that occurs in cities, often exacerbated by impervious surfaces, which can lead to flash flood conditions.
- Debris flow: A fast-moving, fluid mass of rock, mud, and water, often triggered under conditions similar to a flash flood.
- a sudden local flood of great volume and short duration