National Flood Safety Awareness Week, Day 5: Watch vs Warning

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Grand Forks, North Dakota has declared Monday, March 14th through Friday, March 18th 2016
as Flood Safety Awareness Week. Each day during the work week, will feature important information about a flood safety related topic.

Friday’s Message…

Know the Difference Between a Watch and a Warning. It’s vital to your safety to know the difference between a watch and a warning.

Watch: Be Prepared! A Watch is issued when a specific weather hazard is possible. For example, if conditions are such that flooding may occur, a watch will be issued. Flooding is not yet occurring when a watch is issued. This gives you time to get prepared. If your home is in a low lying area, you can prepare for the possibility of flood waters impacting the structure. You can also plan alternate routes for getting to home, work or school if you know certain roads you usually take could be covered by water. The Watch also gives you a chance to test your communications plan and alert family and friends to the threat of dangerous weather.

Warning: Take Action! A Warning is issued when a specific weather hazard is currently occurring or will be occurring very soon. If a
Flood or Flash Flood Warning is issued and you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. Follow evacuation orders if they are issued. If you encounter a roadway that is covered in water, do NOT enter the water! Turn Around Don’t Drown! It is never safe to drive or walk through flood waters.

https://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/

Photo from the NWS video "Flood Safety: Wireless Emergency Alerts"