The students designed a progressive urban environment that can handle large amounts of storm-water runoff by using green technologies and major roadways as storm-water filtration and transport surfaces.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

This cover acts as a giant sponge, absorbing rainfall and reducing polluted storm-water runoff.

FORBES: Magazine Article

There's also a section devoted to "green" roofs, both literally and figuratively, those planted to reduce New York's "heat-island" effect and storm-water runoff.

WSJ: Open-Air Status Symbols

"Excessive runoff from this storm will cause flooding of small creeks and streams" and affect low-lying areas.

CNN: Flash flooding bears down on Chicago