Daryl Berger, age 14, of Sarasota Fla., for his question:

WHAT IS A FLASH FLOOD?

A flood is an overflowing of water onto the land that is normally dry. Most floods occur in the spring and are caused by heavy rains and the melting of snow which brings more water to rivers and streams than they can carry.

A flash flood results aftr a single, heavy downpour in a narrow valley sends a violent torrent of water down a stream and over its banks. This type of flooding often comes without warning and within a. few hours of the heavy rain.

Great rivers such as the Mississippi do not have flash floods.