flashfloods
Rapid water surges
Flashfloods is the plural of flashflood, a sudden violent flood caused by heavy rain in a localized area.
Unlike gradual flooding, flashfloods rise within minutes or hours, often in dry channels or low-lying areas with little warning: Flashfloods swept through the canyon after the storm.
The term is sometimes written as two words or hyphenated.
Sudden heavy localized rainfall
- downpourIntense precipitation event
- thunderstormViolent weather with lightning
- monsoonSeasonal tropical wind pattern
- rainfallWater falling from clouds
precipitation · deluge · squall · torrential · atmospheric · weather · cyclone · typhoon
Deep river-cut gorge
- arroyoSeasonal desert watercourse
- wadiIntermittent desert watercourse
- gulchSteep narrow ravine
- ravineDeep, narrow valley
wash · desert · slot canyon · valley · gorge · streambed · gully · hillside
Sudden powerful increase
- torrentViolent rushing flow
- runoffExcess water drainage
- watershedDrainage area boundary
- catchmentArea collecting water runoff
streamflow · discharge · velocity · debris flow · channel · riverbed · embankment · levee
Severe widespread destruction
- casualtiesThose killed or wounded
- evacuationRemoval from danger
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- rescueSave from harm
destruction · fatalities · displacement · relief · survivors · victims · damage · loss
Detection and notification apparatus
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- evacuation routePlanned emergency exit path
- emergency kitPrepared supplies for disasters
- sandbagsFilled sacks for barriers
forecast · radar · siren · shelter · high ground · insurance · floodproofing · barriers
cloudburst
Sudden heavy localized rainfall
- downpourIntense precipitation event
- thunderstormViolent weather with lightning
- monsoonSeasonal tropical wind pattern
rainfall · precipitation · deluge · squall · torrential · atmospheric · weather · cyclone · typhoon · hurricane
canyon
Deep river-cut gorge
ravine · wash · desert · slot canyon · valley · gorge · streambed · gully · hillside · slope
surge
Sudden powerful increase
catchment · streamflow · discharge · velocity · debris flow · channel · riverbed · embankment · levee · floodplain
devastation
Severe widespread destruction
- casualtiesThose killed or wounded
- evacuationRemoval from danger
- emergencySerious sudden danger
rescue · destruction · fatalities · displacement · relief · survivors · victims · damage · loss · infrastructure
warning system
Detection and notification apparatus
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- evacuation routePlanned emergency exit path
- emergency kitPrepared supplies for disasters
sandbags · forecast · radar · siren · shelter · high ground · insurance · floodproofing · barriers · early warning
flashfloodstidal flooding
Ocean overflow onto land
seasonal flooding · river flooding · coastal flooding · spring thaw · storm surge
flashfloodsdrought
Prolonged water scarcity
droughts · desiccation · dry spell · water scarcity · desertification