Hurricane and tropical storm warnings and watches in effect right now, and what to do
No active tropical alerts in our cache right now. Tropical alerts name the wind or surge threat and how soon it is expected: a watch means conditions are possible, generally within 48 hours; a warning means they are expected within about 36 hours.
What to do
General steps from official sources.
Get ready
Now
The NWS says high winds can blow objects around and pose a significant threat to your safety.
Source: NWS: High windIf you are in a flood-prone or low-lying area, get to higher ground immediately when water starts to rise.
Source: NWS: During a floodFind out whether you live in a hurricane evacuation area by contacting your local government or emergency management office.
Source: NWS: Hurricane planStore one gallon of water per person per day for several days, non-perishable food, medications, a radio, a flashlight and phone chargers.
Source: Ready.gov: Build a kit
Decide
If conditions worsen
Evacuate immediately when water starts to rise. If told to leave, go right away. Follow orders from local emergency management.
Source: NWS: During a floodLeave immediately if ordered to evacuate. Storm surge has historically been the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the U.S. We do not decide evacuations. Your local emergency management does.
Source: NWS: Hurricane action
Ride it out
During
The NWS notes that winds sustained at 40 to 50 mph can cause isolated wind damage. Follow your local NWS office for instructions.
Source: NWS: High windIt is never safe to drive or walk into flood waters. Six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult, and twelve inches of rushing water can carry away most cars. Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road.
Source: NWS: Turn Around Don't DrownThe NWS says high winds can blow objects around and pose a significant threat to your safety. Check your local NWS office for instructions.
Source: NWS: High windIf you are not ordered to evacuate, take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level, away from windows. If the eye passes over, the calm is short and winds return rapidly from the opposite direction.
Source: NWS: Hurricane action
Recover
After, once it is safe
Stay clear of fallen power lines and report them to the electric company.
Source: CDC: Returning Home After a Natural DisasterStay out of floodwater and do not drive through flooded areas. Return home only when local authorities say it is safe.
Source: CDC: Returning Home After a Natural DisasterStay out of floodwater, stay clear of fallen power lines, and return home only when local authorities say it is safe.
Source: CDC: Returning Home After a Natural DisasterNever use a generator inside your home or garage, even with doors and windows open. Run it only outdoors, more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents.
Source: CDC: Carbon monoxide
What the tropical alerts mean
Tropical alerts name the wind or surge threat and how soon it is expected: a watch means conditions are possible, generally within 48 hours; a warning means they are expected within about 36 hours.
Tropical Storm Watch
Issued when a tropical cyclone with winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Warning
Issued when sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) from a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less.
Hurricane Watch
Issued when a tropical cyclone with winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. It does not mean hurricane conditions will occur, only that they are possible.
Hurricane Warning
Issued when sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher are expected in 36 hours or less. It can stay in effect when dangerously high water or high waves continue even though winds may be less than hurricane force.
Storm Surge Watch and Warning
A watch is the possibility, and a warning the danger, of life-threatening inundation from rising tidal water moving inland from the shoreline, generally within 48 hours (watch) or 36 hours (warning).
Alert thresholds are set by each National Weather Service office, so the numbers can differ where you live. The text of the alert for your location is what applies. Source: NWS Baltimore/Washington: Watch/Warning/Advisory Definitions. For the full comparison across alert types, see watch vs warning vs advisory.
Key steps from our guides
Each point links to the official page it comes from.
- Evacuate immediately if local officials order it. NWS: Hurricane watch and warning
- If you are not ordered to evacuate, take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level, with as many walls as possible between you and the outside. NWS: Hurricane action
- Stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors. NWS: Hurricane action
- If the eye passes over you there is a short calm, then hurricane-force winds return rapidly from the opposite direction. NWS: Hurricane action
- Follow your local NWS office, local government and NOAA Weather Radio or local radio and TV for the latest information. NWS: Hurricane action
- Know your evacuation zone by contacting your local government or emergency management office. NWS: Hurricane plan
- Build an emergency kit and check equipment such as flashlights, generators and storm shutters. NWS: Hurricane plan
- Write or review a family emergency plan: how you will reach each other, where you will go and what you will do. NWS: Hurricane plan
- Review your home and personal property insurance to confirm coverage is adequate. NWS: Hurricane plan
- Cover all windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection; the alternative is 5/8 inch exterior grade or marine plywood cut to fit and ready to install. NWS: Hurricane action
- Find out whether you live in a hurricane evacuation area by contacting your local government or emergency management office. NWS: Hurricane plan
- Be prepared to evacuate if you live in a storm surge risk area, and allow time to pack and tell friends and family. NWS: Hurricane action
- Leave immediately if local officials order an evacuation. NWS: Hurricane action
- In Florida, enter your address on the Know Your Zone map to see your zone, labeled with a letter from A to F. Florida Division of Emergency Management: Know Your Zone
Tropical alerts by state
Open a state to see its current warnings, watches and advisories.
Common questions about tropical alerts
What is a tropical storm watch?
Issued when a tropical cyclone with winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.
What is a tropical storm warning?
Issued when sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) from a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less.
What is a hurricane watch?
Issued when a tropical cyclone with winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. It does not mean hurricane conditions will occur, only that they are possible.
What is a hurricane warning?
Issued when sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher are expected in 36 hours or less. It can stay in effect when dangerously high water or high waves continue even though winds may be less than hurricane force.
Alert data comes from the National Weather Service and is refreshed every 15 minutes.