alluvione lampo
Dopo le forti piogge, si è verificata un'alluvione lampo che ha allagato diverse strade del paese.
After the heavy rain, a flash flood occurred, flooding several streets in the town.
A sudden and localized flood caused by intense rainfall over a short period, often leading to rapid water accumulation and potential damage.
L'alluvione lampo ha reso impraticabili le strade principali della città.
The flash flood made the main roads of the city impassable.
Le autorità hanno emesso un'allerta per alluvione lampo a causa delle previsioni di piogge torrenziali.
Authorities issued a flash flood alert due to forecasts of torrential rain.
Commonly used in weather reports and emergency alerts in Italy to describe sudden flooding events.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Use in context
When describing weather events in Italian, 'alluvione lampo' is the go-to phrase for sudden, localized flooding. Pair it with 'dopo forti piogge' (after heavy rain) for clarity.
Gold Rule
Distinguish from 'alluvione'
'Alluvione' alone refers to any flood, while 'alluvione lampo' specifies a sudden, localized event. Use the latter for short-duration, intense rainfall scenarios.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'alluvione' (flood, from Latin 'alluvio' meaning 'overflow') and 'lampo' (lightning, from Latin 'lampas' meaning 'torch'). It reflects the sudden and violent nature of such floods, akin to a lightning strike.
Usage Notes
The term is widely used in Italian media and official weather bulletins. It emphasizes the rapid onset of flooding, often within minutes or hours of heavy rainfall. Unlike 'alluvione', which can refer to larger-scale disasters, 'alluvione lampo' specifically highlights the localized and sudden nature of the event.