flashflood
Rapid water surge
A flashflood is a sudden, violent flood caused by heavy rainfall in a short period, typically in areas where water drains quickly into channels—desert arroyos, narrow canyons, urban streets.
Unlike gradual flooding, flashfloods strike with little warning: The hikers were caught in a flashflood.
Usually spelled as two words: flash flood.
Violent rushing flow
- rushQuick sudden movement
- wallVertical enclosing structure
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
- gushFlow out forcefully
swell · overflow · inundation · engulfment · submersion · swamping · spillover · breach
Flowing in violent streams
- downpourIntense precipitation event
- cloudburstSudden heavy localized rainfall
- rainstormHeavy precipitation event
- monsoonSeasonal tropical wind pattern
gullywasher · precipitation · rainfall · thunderstorm · squall · waterspout · pluvial · tempest
Seasonal desert watercourse
streambed · watershed · drainage · channel · desert · slot canyon · dry wash · wadi
Source of potential harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- evacuationRemoval from danger
- warningAlert about danger
- emergencySerious sudden danger
rescue · survival · trapped · fatal · deadly · destructive · catastrophic · disaster
Moving with haste
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- swiftMoving with speed
- immediateHappening without delay
- instantBriefest unit of time
abrupt · fast-moving · unpredictable · violent · forceful · explosive · intense · quick
torrent
Violent rushing flow
gush · swell · overflow · inundation · engulfment · submersion · swamping · spillover · breach · overbank
torrential
Flowing in violent streams
- downpourIntense precipitation event
- cloudburstSudden heavy localized rainfall
- rainstormHeavy precipitation event
monsoon · gullywasher · precipitation · rainfall · thunderstorm · squall · waterspout · pluvial · tempest · storm
arroyo
Seasonal desert watercourse
ravine · streambed · watershed · drainage · channel · desert · slot canyon · dry wash · wadi · creek
hazard
Source of potential harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- evacuationRemoval from danger
- warningAlert about danger
emergency · rescue · survival · trapped · fatal · deadly · destructive · catastrophic · disaster · landslide
rapid
Moving with haste
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- swiftMoving with speed
- immediateHappening without delay
instant · abrupt · fast-moving · unpredictable · violent · forceful · explosive · intense · quick · momentary
flashflooddrought
Prolonged water scarcity
aridity · desiccation · dry spell · parched earth · water scarcity
flashfloodtrickle
Thin, slow stream
gentle stream · still water · calm waters · stagnant pool · babbling brook