Final answer:
A flash flood occurs rapidly, usually due to excessive rain in a short period, and can catch people by surprise, contrasting with a regular flood that develops gradually over days or weeks.
Step-by-step explanation:
A flash flood is different from a regular flood in that a flash flood happens very quickly, often within a short time after excessive rainfall, and can catch people off guard. This is in contrast to a regular flood, which may happen gradually over a longer period of time such as several days or weeks. Flash floods don't only happen during thunderstorms, although they are a common cause. Regular floods and flash floods both can happen in areas like Maryland, but their quick onset and rapid flooding are what make flash floods particularly dangerous and devastating.