Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms in the Lower Ohio Valley and Southeast; Flooding Continues Along the East Coast of Florida

An approaching cold front may produce isolated heavy rainfall and severe weather today over portions of the Lower Ohio Valley and Southeast. While the heavy rainfall is ending across east Florida, significant river flooding is forecast along the St. John’s and the Peace rivers through the end of the week as flood waters will be slow to recede. Read More >

Definitions of Flood and Flash Flood

Flood: An overflow of water onto normally dry land. The inundation of a normally dry area caused by rising water in an existing waterway, such as a river, stream, or drainage ditch. Ponding of water at or near the point where the rain fell. Flooding is a longer term event than flash flooding: it may last days or weeks.

Flash flood: A flood caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours. Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains that rip through river beds, urban streets, or mountain canyons sweeping everything before them. They can occur within minutes or a few hours of excessive rainfall. They can also occur even if no rain has fallen, for instance after a levee or dam has failed, or after a sudden release of water by a debris or ice jam.

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