Flash droughts develop rapidly within days or weeks, creating dangerous conditions when combined with wildfires and heatwaves. Unlike regular droughts that build slowly, flash droughts catch communities off guard, making them difficult to predict and prepare for. Scientists currently use different methods to identify flash droughts, but these methods often disagree on when and where they occur. This inconsistency hampers effective response by water managers and emergency planners. Our study examined 40 years of data across the United States to understand why detection methods produce different results. We found that some methods are too strict and miss important events, while others identify too many false alarms. Method effectiveness varies greatly by region—what works in California may not work in Texas. To address this, we're developing a new approach combining weather data with real-world impact information from news reports. Using computer analysis of thousands of articles, we'll create the first comprehensive database of flash drought impacts nationwide. This research will help create better region-specific early warning systems, giving communities, farmers, and water managers more accurate information to prepare for these rapidly developing extreme events.