A Guide to Emergency Notifications

Has an emergency alert ever popped up on your phone or TV that you weren’t familiar with?

It’s important to familiarize yourself with all emergency notifications that officials may issue for your area BEFORE an emergency occurs so that you know how to prepare and what to do when danger is imminent.

Emergency Alerts

There are four different types of alerts that you may receive:

Advisory. An Advisory means that a hazard may occur in your area, but the impact is not expected to be life-threatening.

Watch. A Watch means that a hazard may occur in your area.

Warning. If you receive a Warning, it is time to act immediately. This means that a hazard is about to occur or is already occurring in your area.

This is a Test. Officials will periodically send practice messages to test the emergency alert system. This is a good opportunity to familiarize yourself with your emergency plans and make sure that your emergency supply kits are stocked.

Emergency Notifications



The following are specific emergency notifications that officials may issue:

Blizzard Warning. A blizzard is currently occurring or is expected to occur within the next 48 hours.

• Prepare for a power outage and make a plan for the possibility of losing heat.
• Evaluate your supplies – food, water, flashlights, warm clothing, heaters, etc.
• Limit time spent outside and dress in warm clothing.
• It should be noted that there is no Blizzard Watch, however, Winter Storm Watches will alert you to the possibility of blizzard conditions.

Dust Storm Warning. A dust storm is occurring or is about to occur in your area.

• Go inside.
• Close all windows and doors.
• Turn off all air conditioning units.
• It should be noted that there is no Dust Storm Watch.

Excessive/Extreme Heat Watch. Dangerously high temperatures and/or humidity may occur in the next 24 to 72 hours.

• Review the signs of heat illness.
• Dress in light, loose clothing.
• Do not participate in high-energy outdoor activities, such as sports, running, or biking.
• Stay hydrated.
• Prepare your home to keep it cool.

Excessive/Extreme Heat Warning. Dangerously high temperatures and/or humidity is occurring or will occur in the next 12 hours.

• Stay inside and use air conditioning.
• If you have to be outside, stay in the shade.
• Look for signs of heat illness.
• Stay hydrated.
• Dress in light, loose clothing.

Extreme Wind Warning. Dangerous winds are currently occurring, and sustained hurricane winds are occurring or are possible within 1 hour in your area.

• Go to your safe shelter and take cover now.
• Follow your emergency plan.
• It should be noted that there is no Extreme Wind Watch.

Flash Flood Watch. A flash flood is possible within the next several hours or days.

• Know your flood risk.
• Follow instructions from local officials. Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
• Put important documents in a waterproof container.
• Take steps to protect your property.

Flash Flood Warning. A flash flood is occurring or about to occur.

• Move to higher ground immediately.
• Follow instructions from local officials. Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
• Try to protect your property only if it is safe to do so.

Flood Watch. Flooding is possible within the next 6 to 48 hours.

• Know your flood risk.
• Follow instructions from local officials. Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
• Put important documents in a waterproof container.
• Take steps to protect your property.

Flood Warning. Flooding is occurring or about to occur.

• Know your flood risk.
• Follow instructions from local officials. Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
• Put important documents in a waterproof container.

High Wind Watch. High winds may occur in the next 12 to 48 hours.

• Review your emergency plan.
• Be prepared to go to your safe room – preferably a small, interior, windowless room in the building’s basement or lowest level.
• Bring in or tie down all loose objects around your property.
• Be prepared for a power outage.

High Wind Warning. High winds may be occurring or are about to occur and may last for 12 hours or more.

• Go to your safe room and take cover.
• Be prepared for power outages.
• Stay away from trees and power lines.

Hurricane Watch. Hurricane conditions are possible in your area within the next several days and hurricane-force winds (74mph+) are possible within the next 48 hours.

• Review and follow your emergency plan.
• Familiarize yourself with your area’s risk and evacuation zone
• Protect your property from damage – board up windows, bring loose items inside, etc.
• Gather important documents.
• Evaluate your supplies – food, water, flashlights, etc.

Hurricane Warning. Hurricane-force winds (74mph+) are expected in your area within the next 36 hours.

• Follow instructions from local officials. Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
• Follow your emergency plan.
• If you are not evacuating, continue to prepare by getting your property and supplies ready.

Ice Storm Warning. Dangerous ice accumulation is expected within the next 12 to 48 hours.

• Prepare for a power outage and make a plan for the possibility of losing heat.
• Evaluate your supplies – food, water, flashlights, warm clothing, heaters, etc.
• Limit time spent outside and dress in warm clothing.
• It should be noted that there is no Ice Storm Watch, however, Winter Storm Watches will alert you to the possibility of blizzard conditions.

Nuclear Explosion Warning. A nuclear explosion is occurring or is about to occur.

• Stay inside and go to the basement or middle of the building. Stay away from windows and doors.
• Stay inside for 24 hours unless local officials say otherwise.
• Remove contaminated clothing and clean off exposed skin.
• It should be noted that there is no Nuclear Explosion Watch.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch. Severe thunderstorms are possible within the next 4 to 8 hours.

• Go inside.
• Prepare for a power outage.
• Secure loose outdoor items.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning. Severe thunderstorms are possible within the next hour.

• Go inside.
• Unplug appliances and electronics.

Snow Squall Warning. A sudden whiteout is occurring or may occur soon.

• Prepare for a power outage and make a plan for the possibility of losing heat.
• Evaluate your supplies – food, water, flashlights, warm clothing, heaters, etc.
• Limit time spent outside and dress in warm clothing.
• It should be noted that there is no Snow Squall Watch, however, Winter Storm Watches will alert you to the possibility of blizzard conditions.

Storm Surge Watch. Life-threatening flooding is possible within the next 48 hours.

• Know your flood risk.
• Follow instructions from local officials. Evacuate immediately if told to do so.

Storm Surge Warning. Life-threatening flooding is possible within the next 36 hours.

• Know your flood risk.
• Follow instructions from local officials. Evacuate immediately if told to do so.

Tornado Watch. Development of a tornado is possible in your area within the next 2 to 4 hours.

• Review your emergency plan.
• Check in on local family members and friends to make sure that they are aware of what is happening and have a plan.
• Be prepared to go to your safe room – preferably a small, interior, windowless room in the building’s basement or lowest level.
• Evaluate your supplies – food, water, flashlights, etc.

Tornado Warning. A tornado is expected to develop in the next 30 minutes or has already developed in your area.

• Go to your safe room immediately and take cover, using your arms, a coat, or blanket to protect your head and neck.
• If you are in your car, find a low, flat location, get down on the ground, and cover your head and neck as best as possible.

Tsunami Watch. Powerful waves and currents that may cause flooding is possible and may last for several hours or days.

• Review your emergency plan and evacuation route.
• Be prepared to move inland and/or to higher ground, if necessary.

Tsunami Warning. Powerful waves and currents that may cause flooding is occurring or is expected to occur and may last for several hours or days.

• Follow instructions from local officials. Evacuate immediately if told to do so, or if you see signs of a tsunami.
• Move inland and/or to higher ground, if necessary.

Volcanic Eruption Watch. A volcanic eruption may occur or is occurring; however, officials may not know what time it will occur.

• Avoid areas downstream of the eruption.
• Protect your home from falling ash.
• Seal doors and windows; and cover ventilation openings.
• Evacuate immediately if local officials instruct you to do so.

Volcanic Eruption Warning. A volcanic eruption is occurring or will occur very soon.

• Evacuate immediately if local officials instruct you to do so.
• Protect yourself from falling ash.
• Seal doors and windows; and cover ventilation openings.

Winter Storm Watch. A winter storm containing snow, sleet, ice, and/or high wind is possible in your area within the next 24 to 72 hours.

• Review your emergency plan.
• Check in on local family members and friends to make sure that they are aware of what is happening and have a plan.
• Prepare for a power outage and make a plan for the possibility of losing heat.
• Evaluate your supplies – food, water, flashlights, warm clothing, heaters, etc.
• Limit time spent outside and dress in warm clothing.

Winter Storm Warning. A winter storm containing snow, sleet, ice, and/or high wind is possible in your area within the next 12 to 48 hours.

• Prepare for a power outage and make a plan for the possibility of losing heat.
• Evaluate your supplies – food, water, flashlights, warm clothing, heaters, etc.
• Limit time spent outside and dress in warm clothing.

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