The Intersect tool takes multiple input layers and returns a new layer that shows where the inputs overlap. The resulting layer attribute table will contain the combined attributes of all the inputs. This tool works with all feature types; that is, points, lines, and polygons. If you input multiple feature types, you get to choose what your resulting output type will be.
You might use the Intersect tool if you are working on an emergency evacuation plan for your community. For example, you might need to determine which roads might be blocked due to flooding, so you need to know which segments are in the floodplain. You can use the Intersect tool to overlay the Street Centerlines with the floodplains to locate where and how much of each road is in the greatest danger of flooding, as shown in the following screenshot:
The resulting output of the Intersect tool in this scenario is a new layer that just contains portions of the...