ORLANDO, Fla. – Much of Florida is under either a watch or a warning of some kind due to Helene. These weather alerts are issued by the National Weather Service. It’s important to know the difference between them as you prepare to weather the storm where you live.
Here is a breakdown of the tropical alerts you may come across during hurricane season:
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Tropical Storm Watch
- Tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the next 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Warning
- Tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the next 36 hours.
Hurricane Watch
- Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are possible.
- They’re issued 48 hours before anticipation of tropical storm-force winds. It becomes difficult to complete preparations in winds of this magnitude.
Hurricane Warning
- Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are expected.
- They’re issued 36 hours before anticipation of tropical storm-force winds. All preparations should be complete and you should evacuate if ordered.
Storm Surge Watch
- There’s a possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline.
- They’re generally issued within 48 hours from the projected start of inundation.
Storm Surge Warning
- There is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline. If you’re under a storm surge warning, check to see if evacuation orders have been given by local officials.
- They’re generally issued within 36 hours from the projected start of inundation
Extreme Wind Warning
- Issued when sustained surface winds are expected to be 115 mph or greater during a hurricane.
- This means the rapid onset of destructive winds is imminent. This should be treated as a tornado warning. Take shelter in a sturdy building in the inner-most room on the lowest level.
- The first-ever extreme wind warning issued for Brevard County was in 2016 during Hurricane Matthew.
Flash Flood Warning
- This means life-threatening flash flooding, rapidly rising water, is occurring or is expected shortly.
- Seek higher ground immediately. Never drive through flooded roadways
- This is also issued for non-tropical events.
On any Weather Alert Day in Florida, you may also come across watches and warnings for things like severe thunderstorms, tornados and flooding. The graphic below explains the difference between them.
Remember that watches may last for hours, but warnings are issued for shorter periods because of the imminent potential for a dangerous weather situation.
If a warning is issued in your area, be sure to follow the information provided by local officials, seek the appropriate shelter, and wait for the danger to pass.