This year's flash floods were confined to the northeastern part of the state. They were far less catastrophic than those of the previous two years.

When I moved in, I got surveyed and they told me I was well above the elevation level and there was a very low risk,” said one neighborhood resident.

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.

The threat of flash flooding returned to North Carolina on Thursday, only days after Tropical Depression Chantal dumped heavy rain across the central part of the state, flooding homes and highways and leading to dozens of rescues.

More than 111 people have died across six counties after flash flooding from heavy rain began affecting the state last week.

A line of heavy thunderstorms swept across the D.C. region Wednesday evening, unleashing torrential rains that flooded streets and violent wind gusts that toppled trees. The storms produced spectacular skies — including menacing clouds on approach and vivid rainbows upon exiting.

Charlotte and Sebastian Trotter died on July 8 during Ruidoso floods. A GoFundMe was created for funeral expenses and medical care for their parents.

Catastrophic floods often bring with them loss of power, cuts to key emergency communications and sudden hazardous situations that leave victims with only minutes or seconds to seek higher ground and stay safe.

The two children were identified as Charlotte Trotter, 4, and Sebastian Trotter, 7, according to their aunt Tiffanie Wyatt. She said their father, Sebastian Trotter, a solder based at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and their mother, Stephanie, both suffered serious injuries but survived and were receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Texas.

Texas. North Carolina. Illinois. New Mexico. Flash flooding has surged into the spotlight in the last week with record-breaking flood events occurring nearly back-to-back across the country. Here’s why they happened now and why floods are becoming more intense.