What role does runoff play during weather events like hurricanes?

Runoff plays a critical role during weather events such as hurricanes because it often carries pollutants into surface water systems. During heavy rainfall, especially associated with hurricanes, large volumes of water flow across land surfaces. This water can pick up various contaminants, including fertilizers, pesticides, oil, and trash, before it enters rivers, lakes, and oceans. This influx of polluted runoff can lead to significant water quality issues, causing harmful algal blooms, which can further degrade aquatic ecosystems and pose health risks to humans and wildlife. Thus, understanding the impact of runoff during such events is essential for evaluating environmental health and developing effective management strategies.