National Hurricane Preparedness Week: Day 3

National Hurricane Preparedness Week: Day 3

Understand Forecast Information! The National Weather Service forecast products can tell you a lot about what is expected to happen with a storm, including the storm's paths, rainfall amounts, wind speeds, and more! It is important to know your alerts:

• A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible somewhere within the watch area, with tropical-storm-force winds beginning within the next 48 hours.
• A Hurricane Warning means hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, with tropical-storm-force winds beginning within 36 hours. Seek shelter in a sturdy structure or evacuate if ordered.
• A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.
• A Tropical Storm Warning means they are expected somewhere within the warning area.
• A Storm Surge Watch means the possibility of life-threatening inundation generally within 48 hours.
• A Storm Surge Warning means the danger of life-threatening inundation generally within 36 hours.
• An Extreme Wind Warning means extreme hurricane winds (115 mph+) are imminent or happening: take immediate shelter in an interior portion of a well-built structure.
• A Flash Flood Warning means dangerous flash flooding is expected: move to higher ground, and never walk or drive through floodwater.
• A Flash Flood Emergency is issued for exceedingly rare situations when a severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage is happening or about to happen - do NOT attempt to travel unless you are under an evacuation order, or your life is imminently at risk.
• A Flood Watch means flooding is possible: stay tuned to trusted news sources and be ready to seek higher ground.
• A Flood Warning means flooding is happening or about to happen - move to higher ground immediately.
• A Tornado Watch means a tornado is possible: know your safe place and be ready to act quickly if a Warning is issued.
• A Tornado Warning means a tornado is happening or about to happen - immediately seek shelter in your safe place!

Impacts can be felt far from the storm's center, even well inland and outside the Forecast Cone. Remember: the storm itself can stretch well beyond the Forecast Cone, and so can the impacts. Learn how to use a cone graphic:

This information and more can be found on the NOAA website: Understand Forecast Information | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (noaa.gov)