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How the three coastal-flood alerts differ
| Alert | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood Watch | Significant coastal flooding is possible if conditions develop as forecast. It is not a guarantee that flooding will occur. | Prepare, monitor updates, and be ready to move to safe ground. Check the local alert for timing and affected areas. |
| Coastal Flood Warning | Serious coastal flooding is occurring, imminent, or expected soon under the local product definition. | Protect life first. Follow evacuation instructions promptly and stay out of floodwater. |
| Coastal Flood Advisory | Minor or nuisance coastal flooding is occurring or possible under local criteria. Impacts can still disrupt low-lying roads and areas. | Pay attention to the alert’s local instructions. Do not assume roads or shoreline areas are safe. |
The distinction is about more than the label. Compare the likelihood and immediacy, expected severity, locations and valid period, and the action the alert recommends. NWS messages may include event times, the basis for a warning, expected impacts, and calls to action. Read the complete message for your area; see NWS Baltimore/Washington’s alert definitions and NWS Boston’s product descriptions.
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What to do during a Coastal Flood Watch
- Read the alert and local forecast. Check which locations are included, when the threat is expected, what impacts are forecast, and when the message expires. Conditions and alerts can change; recheck for updates rather than relying on an old screenshot.
- Plan where you would go. Identify a route and destination on higher ground or inland. Be ready to leave if flooding becomes imminent or officials direct evacuation.
- Prepare without taking risks. If time and conditions allow, secure loose outdoor items and protect property. Do not put yourself in danger to safeguard belongings.
- Keep multiple ways to get updates. Monitor official information through more than one channel; NWS recommends radio and television, including NOAA Weather Radio when possible.
A watch can be upgraded to a warning, changed to an advisory, or canceled as forecasts change. NWS Melbourne advises people in a watch area to be ready to move to safe ground if flooding occurs or a warning is issued. See its Coastal Flood Safety Rules.
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- Follow official directions promptly. If local emergency managers order an evacuation, leave as directed. Do not wait for visible water when officials tell you to go.
- Move inland or to higher ground. Do not remain near the coast once flooding is observed or expected to affect your location.
- Stay out of floodwater. Never drive or walk through it, go around barricades, or use a flooded road. Water can conceal hazards, and roads may be damaged.
- If water traps you, seek the highest possible point or floor and call for help if you can.
- Keep away from exposed coastal structures and large waves. Do not approach the shore to watch surf or fish; waves can suddenly sweep over areas that appeared dry.
NWS general flood guidance covers the difference between a flood watch and warning and what to do during a flood. Coastal conditions add wave and shoreline hazards, so follow the local coastal alert and emergency-management directions.
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Why timing and criteria vary by location
There is no single watch lead time or water-level threshold that applies to every NWS office. For example, NWS Wilmington describes a Coastal Flood Watch criterion for significant flooding within 12 to 36 hours under its local criteria, and a threshold of at least 2.5 feet above minor coastal flood thresholds for its stated significant-flood setup. These are Wilmington-specific operational criteria, not national standards; details appear on its Watch/Warning/Advisory Criteria page.
NWS Boston describes coastal flood watches as issued 12 to 48 hours in advance and serious-flood warnings as occurring, imminent, or highly likely in the first 12 to 24 hours under its product description. The NWS national product description also gives a general 12-to-48-hour watch window. These descriptions come from different product contexts and do not promise the same timing for every local alert. Boston’s product descriptions explain local impact categories, which include vulnerable roads and basements, erosion, closures, isolation, and threats to life. Use the current alert for your own location rather than applying another office’s timing or threshold.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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