flash flood

noun

1. a sudden and destructive rush of water down a narrow gully or over a sloping surface, caused by heavy rainfall.

flash flood

noun

1. a sudden short-lived torrent, usually caused by a heavy storm, esp in desert regions

flash flood

/ flăsh /

1. A sudden, localized flood of great volume and short duration, typically caused by unusually heavy rain in a semiarid area. Flash floods can reach their peak volume in a matter of a few minutes and often carry large loads of mud and rock fragments.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flash flood¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Synonym Study

See flood.

Example Sentences

"Numerous flash floods, hazardous travel, power outages, and tree damage can be expected as the storm reaches max intensity," the National Weather Prediction Centre wrote in a post on X.

From BBC

“Numerous flash floods, hazardous travel, power outages, and tree damage can be expected as the storm reaches max intensity” on Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Two weeks after flash floods caused devastation in eastern Spain, several areas of the nation are on alert again.

From BBC

Roger Baro said it would help his nation deal with the current impacts of climate change in the country, which is experiencing widespread drought, flash floods and disease outbreaks.

From BBC

Mazón, in particular, has come under mounting pressure for his administration’s response on the day the flash floods struck.

From BBC

Related Words

• deluge
• torrent