spate 
/ˈspeɪt/ noun
plural spates /ˈspeɪt/ noun [count] : a large number of things that appear or happen in a short period of time
▪ A spate of books on the subject have come out recently. ▪ the recent spate [=rash] of forest fires ▪ There was a spate of corporate mergers in the 1980s.
▪ A spate of books on the subject have come out recently. ▪ the recent spate [=rash] of forest fires ▪ There was a spate of corporate mergers in the 1980s.
in spate
chiefly Brit, of a river, stream, etc. : very full : filled with water flowing very fast
▪ The river was in spate due to heavy rains.
▪ The river was in spate due to heavy rains.
