river (6)
http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/48876/historic-flooding-unfolding-al.asp
"While the amount of evacuees currently numbers in the hundreds, it could soon number in the tens of thousands as levees are topped or breached and rivers expand their girth into more farming communities, towns and cities."
Scientists cite for near continuous rain.....
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/220167-Scientists-Cite-Atmospheric-River-for-Near-Continuous-Rain
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Heavy-rain-in-Western-Washington-causes-slides-111751049.html
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/27/wisconsin.flooding/index.html?hpt=T1