Do you know what coastal weather warnings to listen for?

These different types of announcements will keep you informed during the worst of storms.

Staying informed during a tropical cyclone is the first step to keeping your family safe. This handy guide will help you to tell the difference between different types of official coastal weather warnings and announcements. If you are expecting severe weather, keep an ear to an NOAA certified weather radio, or your eyes on local television broadcasts, for the following emergency alerts:

For All Alerts

• A watch means that the severe weather could happen

• A warning means that the severe weather is likely to happen

• Always comply with all announcements by local, state, and federal officials

• Alerts will be issued by county, so listen for your county name to know if your area will be affected

• If you live anywhere near a coastal region, be sure your family has an emergency plan that covers tropical cyclones

• For help creating an emergency plan click here

Tropical Storm Watch

• The least severe alert

• This means that tropical storm conditions, with sustained winds between 39 and 74 miles per hour, are possible within the specified areas within the next 48 hours

• Can occur before, during, or after a hurricane

• During a tropical storm watch, you should prepare your home and review your emergency plan with all members of your family

• Continue to monitor official radio stations and local television channels for additional instructions

Hurricane Watch

• This means that hurricane conditions, with sustained winds over 74 miles per hour, are possible within the specified areas

• Hurricane watches are issued 48 hours in advance, to give citizens time to prepare or evacuate

• During a hurricane watch, you should prepare your home and review your emergency and evacuation plans with all members of your family

• If local authorities issue an evacuation order, you should comply immediately; If you wait, it may be too late

• Continue to monitor official radio stations and local television channels for additional instructions

Tropical Storm Warning

• This means that tropical storm conditions, with sustained winds between 39 and 74 miles per hour, are expected within the specified areas sometime in the next 36 hours

• Can occur before, during, or after a hurricane, since cyclones can gain or lose strength over time

Hurricane Warning

• This means that hurricane conditions, with sustained winds over 74 miles per hour, are expected within the specified areas

• Issued 36 hours before winds are expected to reach Tropical Storm force, to give citizens time to prepare

• A hurricane warning can remain in effect even after the winds have calmed, if severe flooding, strong waves, or other dangerous conditions are still in the area

• If local authorities issue an evacuation order, you should comply immediately; If you wait, it may be too late

Extreme Wind Warning

• This is the most severe alert

• Major hurricane force winds, in excess of 115 miles per hour, are expected within the hour

• If an extreme wind warning is issued for your area, IMMEDIATELY take shelter in the interior sections of a solid structure