Watch vs. warning: Which is worse, what to know about flood, tornado threats with Hurricane Helene (2024)

As Hurricane Helene makes it way to the Florida coast, some residents might be confused with all the terms and advisories surrounding the storm.

What is flash flooding?

Which is worse — a warning or watch? What is considered "extreme wind" during an extreme wind warning?

If you have asked any of those questions and others, don't worry. We have you covered. Here's what different weather forecasting terms mean.

Has Hurricane Helen hit Florida? Where storm is expected to make landfall

No, Hurricane Helenehas not landed yet. It is expected to make landfall close to midnight on Thursday.

It is closing in on the state with landfall expected in the Big Bend area. Heleneis expected to slam into Floridaas a massiveCategory 4 hurricanewith winds up to 132-mph, according to theNational Hurricane Center.

The stormposes dangersof life-threatening storm surge, destructive winds and flash flooding along the entire west coast of Florida and the Big Bend, the NHC also reported. The highest inundation levels and potentiallycatastrophic hurricane-force windsare expected along the Big Bend coast.

What time is Helene supposed to hit land in Florida?

The latest information suggestslandfall may be near Apalachicola,Florida, between 9 and 11 p.m. Thursday, according to AccuWeather.

Know the difference between a hurricane 'watch' and 'warning'

Residents should be aware that there are not one, buttwo kinds of hurricane alertsand they identify how much time there is before the storm hits:

  • Ahurricane watchmeans hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) arepossible. Experts announce hurricane watches 48 hours before they expect tropical storm-force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) to start.
  • Ahurricane warningis more serious. It means hurricane-force winds areexpectedin a stated area. Experts issue these warnings 36 hours before tropical storm-force winds are expected in the area to give people enough time to prepare for the storm.

Find out if you're under a Hurricane Watch or Warning in Florida

Watches and warnings in effect, according to the state's website, include:

Hurricane Warning:western Alachua, coastal Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, coastal Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, western Marion, coastal Pasco, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties

Hurricane Watch:inland Citrus, inland Hernando, coastal Hillsborough, coastal Manatee, inland Pasco, Pinellas, coastal Sarasota

Tropical Storm Warning:central and eastern Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, inland Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, inland Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Lake, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe (including Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas), Manatee, central and eastern Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, inland Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Union, Volusia, Walton, Washington

Storm Surge Warning:along the entire Florida Big Bend and West Coast through Southwest Florida

Storm Surge Watch:Coastal Bay and Gulf counties along Mexico Beach to Indian Pass

What are the Hurricane Categories?

There are five categories of hurricanes according to theSaffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:

  • Category 1 Hurricane– Sustained wind speeds of 74-95 mph that can produce some damage
  • Category 2 Hurricane– Sustained wind speeds of 96-110 mph that can cause extensive damage
  • Category 3 Hurricane– Sustained wind speeds of 111-129 mph that can cause devastating damage
  • Category 4 Hurricane– Sustained wind speeds of 130-156 mph that can cause catastrophic damage
  • Category 5 Hurricane– Sustained wind speeds of 157+ mph that cause catastrophic damage

Other hurricane-related terms you might come across

As per Weather.gov and NOAA, here are some other advisories and terms you should be aware of:

Coastal Flood Advisory - Occurs when when water inundates or covers normally dry coastal land as a result of high or rising tides or storm surges. Issued when flooding is occurring or imminent.

Coastal Flood Watch - Issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is possible

Coastal Flood Warning - Issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring or imminent. This flooding will pose a serious risk to life and property.

Extreme Wind Warning - Generally issued when there are sustained thunderstorm winds of 31–39 miles per hour and/or gusts of 46–57 miles per hour over land.

Flash Flood Warning - Issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring.

Flood Watch - Issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean floodingwill occur, but it ispossible.

Flood Warning - Issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

Storm Surge - The abnormal water level rise generated by a storm over and above the predicted astronomicaltide.

Squalls - A strong wind characterized by a sudden onset in which the wind speed increases at least 16 knots and is sustained at 22 knots or more for at least one minute.

Squall Line - A line of active thunderstorms, either continuous or with breaks, including contiguous precipitation areas resulting from the existence of the thunderstorms.

Wind Advisory - Issued when the following conditions are expected, such as sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph for an hour or more and wind gusts of 46 to 57 mph for any duration.

Watch vs. warning: Which is worse, what to know about flood, tornado threats with Hurricane Helene (2024)

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