flash flood

noun

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

Examples of flash flood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Other states also are facing tumultuous weather, as thunderstorms laden with heavy rain prompted flood watches in Kansas and Arkansas and flash flood warnings in Missouri. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 At least 11 injured after tornado-spawning thunderstorms left a trail of destruction across parts of Oklahoma Torrential rainfall triggered flash flood warnings for large portions of southern Missouri Monday morning. Robert Shackelford, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024 As Helene approached, North Carolinians expected rain and flash floods, but no mass-evacuation orders were issued. Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2024 Helene has caused hundreds of flash flood warnings in Florida and in regions of South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia since making landfall. Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flash flood 

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 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on flash flood

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!