Scholars and designers of early warning systems say that there are still huge gaps in our ability to predict flash floods and warn those at risk.

Straighter, smoother streams flow more violently than those that meander due to a reduction in friction. Areas with steeper terrain can see water accelerate downhill at a much faster rate causing a more destructive flash flood than flatter, open areas.

A flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 3:06 p.m. in effect until 6:15 p.m. for Adams County.

The National Weather Service released a flash flood warning at 1:17 p.m. on Saturday in effect until 3:45 p.m. for Franklin and Hampshire counties.

On Saturday at 4:10 p.m. the NWS Blacksburg VA released a flash flood warning in effect until 10:15 p.m. for Ashe County.

A Flash Flood Warning was issued for several cities and towns south of Boston Thursday morning as heavy rain brought traffic to a crawl and clogged streets and highways.With rain coming down so fast,

In the Midwest, quarter-sized hail and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, while in the South, flood alerts are in effect for areas that were devastated by flash floods last week.

Back-to-back flooding disasters in recent years — in Texas, New Mexico and Kentucky, among many others — have showed that preparing for flash flooding is a new necessity as the planet warms.