Storm Watches, Warnings and Categories

Warnings & Watches:

• Tropical Storm Warning: (39 to 73 mph winds)  The period of time, 24 to 36 hours, prior to a possible threat of tropical storm conditions.
• Hurricane Watch:  (74 mph sustained winds)  The period of time, 24 to 48 hours, prior to the predicted landfall of hurricane conditions.
  
• Hurricane Warning:  The period of time, 0 to 24 hours, prior to the predicted landfall of a hurricane.
  

• Category (1): winds 74 to 95 MPH - 4 to 5 foot storm surge 
• Category (2): winds 96 to 110 MPH - 6 to 8 foot storm surge
• Category (3): winds 111 to 130 MPH - 9 to 12 foot storm surge
• Category (4): winds 131 to 155 MPH - 13 to 18 foot storm surge
• Category (5): winds 156 MPH and above - 18 foot and above storm surge