The Difference between Flood Watching and Warning

6/13/2018 (Permalink)

What is the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning issued by the national weather service?

• Flash Flood Warning: Take Action!A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas 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 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 Prepared: A flood advisory is issued when a specific weather event 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 life and/or property. 

For more information visit: http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/