Flood Warning versus Flood Watch

10/18/2018 (Permalink)

Flood Warning versus Flood Watch 

Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or is already occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, you should move to higher ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to form. It is possible to experience a flash flood in areas that are not immediately receiving rain.  

Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or already occurring.   

Flood Watch: Be Prepared: A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.   

Flood Advisory: Be Aware: A Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten your life or your property. 

Flood Warning vs. Watch