Flash Flood — definition (Water)

Water

A flood which follows within a few hours of heavy or excessive rainfall. A flood of short duration with a relatively high peak rate of flow, usually resulting from a high intensity rainfall over a small area.

Bureau of Reclamation — Bureau of Reclamation Glossary

A flood which follows within a few hours (usually less than 6 hours) of heavy or excessive rainfall, dam or levee failure, or the sudden release of water impounded by an ice jam.

NWS — Service Hydrologist Reference Manual Glossary of Hydrologic Terms retrieved 2014-06-01

Science› Energy› Renewable Energy

Solar Energy

A sudden flood event through a valley, canyon, or wash, following a short duration, high-intensity rainfall.

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) — Solar Energy Development PEIS Glossary retrieved 2014-06-15

Science

Weather

A rapid and extreme flow of high water into a normally dry area, or a rapid water level rise in a stream or creek above a predetermined flood level, beginning within six hours of the causative event (e.g., intense rainfall, dam failure, ice jam). However, the actual time threshold may vary in different parts of the country. Ongoing flooding can intensify to flash flooding in cases where intense rainfall results in a rapid surge of rising flood waters.

NOAA National Weather Service — National Weather Service Glossary