flash flood

noun

: a local flood of short duration generally resulting from heavy rainfall in the immediate vicinity
flash flood verb

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web And that is a flash flood. Catherine Garcia, The Week, 4 Aug. 2022 The National Weather Service issued a new flash flood warning for Fort Lauderdale on Thursday afternoon. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2023 The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Wednesday afternoon for Pembroke Pines, Hollywood and Miramar until 4:15 p.m. Several cities in Broward County are also under flood advisories until 2:15 p.m. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2023 The storm’s worst impacts were over the Oklahoma-Missouri border late Thursday, drenching parts of the states with 1 to 3 inches of rain in areas where a flash flood warnings is in effect. Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 24 Mar. 2023 The weather service started issuing flash flood warnings on Friday as heavy rain combined with swift snowmelt to turn creeks and streams into roaring rapids. Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2023 People in the flood watch area are advised to keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to take immediate action should heavy rains and flooding occur, or if a flash flood warning is issued. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2023 The show continued on at the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards despite an emergency flash flood warning and a torrential downpour effectively stopping the awards show red carpet. Breanna Bell, Variety, 25 Feb. 2023 Los Angeles County is currently under a flash flood warning that remains in effect until 10 p.m. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flash flood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flash flood was in 1940

Dictionary Entries Near flash flood

Cite this Entry

“Flash flood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash%20flood. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on flash flood

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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