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.

Heavy rainfall caused areas of flooding on I-93 and other major roadways in Massachusetts on Thursday morning.

At 3:47 p.m. on Thursday, the NWS Newport/Morehead City NC released a flash flood warning in effect until 7 p.m. for Dare County.

The mountain village of Ruidoso has returned to the grim rituals of rebuilding from flash flooding. Crews are working to clear twisted metal, broken trees and muddy debris from streets and homes days after monsoon rains triggered a deadly flash flood in southern New Mexico.

On Thursday at 6:01 a.m. the National Weather Service released a flash flood warning in effect until 9 a.m. for Bristol, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties.

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.

Recent flash flooding in Texas​, New Mexico​ and North Carolina​ is highlighting the extreme danger of these natural disasters and the need to be prepared.