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    Hurricane Helene flooding, tornado watches or warnings. What they mean
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    Hurricane Helene flooding, tornado watches or warnings. What they mean

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    As Hurricane Helene approaches the Florida coast, some residents may be confused with the terms and references surrounding the storm.

    What is a flash flood?

    What's worse – a warning or an observation? What is considered “extreme wind” in an extreme wind warning?

    If you've asked any of these or other questions, don't worry. We are here for you. Here you can find out what different weather forecast terms mean.

    Did Hurricane Helen hit Florida? Where a storm is expected to make landfall

    No, Hurricane Helene has not made landfall yet. It is expected to make landfall around midnight on Thursday.

    It is approaching the state and is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend area. According to the National Hurricane Center, Helene is expected to hit Florida as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with winds of up to 132 miles per hour.

    The storm poses the risk of life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and flash flooding along the entire west coast of Florida and the Big Bend, the NHC also reported. The highest levels of flooding and potentially catastrophic hurricane-force winds are expected along the Big Bend coast.

    What time is Helene supposed to land in Florida?

    According to AccuWeather, the latest information suggests landfall could occur near Apalachicola, Florida between 9 and 11 p.m. on Thursday.

    Know the Difference Between a Hurricane “Watch” and a “Warning”

    Residents should be aware that there are not one but two types of hurricane warnings and should determine how much time will pass before the storm hits:

    • A Hurricane watch means hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or greater) are possible. Experts announce hurricane warnings 48 hours before the expected start of tropical storm-force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour).
    • A Hurricane warning is more serious. This means that hurricane-force winds can be expected in a given area. Experts issue these warnings 36 hours before expected tropical storm force winds in the region to give people enough time to prepare for the storm.

    Find out if you are under a Hurricane Watch or Warning in Florida

    According to the state's website, watches and warnings in effect include:

    Hurricane warning: western Alachua, coastal counties of Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, coastal counties of Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, western Marion, coastal counties of Pasco, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla

    Hurricane watch: inland Citrus, inland Hernando, coastal Hillsborough, coastal Manatee, inland Pasco, Pinellas, coastal Sarasota

    Tropical Storm Warning: central and eastern Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, inland Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, inland Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Lake, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe (including Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas), Manatee, Central and Eastern Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, inland Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Union, Volusia, Walton, Washington

    Storm surge warning: along the entire Florida Big Bend and the west coast to southwest Florida

    Storm Surge Watch: Coastal Bay and Gulf Counties along Mexico Beach to Indian Pass

    What hurricane categories are there?

    According to the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, there are five categories of hurricanes:

    • Category 1 hurricane – Sustained winds of 74-95 mph, which may cause some damage
    • Category 2 hurricane – Sustained winds of 96-110 mph, which could cause significant damage
    • Category 3 hurricane – Sustained winds of 111-129 mph, which could cause devastating damage
    • Category 4 hurricane – Sustained winds of 130-156 mph, which could cause catastrophic damage
    • Category 5 hurricane – Sustained wind speeds exceeding 250 km/h causing catastrophic damage

    You may encounter other hurricane-related terms

    According to Weather.gov and NOAA, here are some other notes and terms to keep in mind:

    Coastal flood warning – Occurs when water inundates or covers normally dry coastal land as a result of high tides, rising tides or storm surges. Issued when flooding occurs or is imminent.

    Coastal Flood Watch – Issued when moderate to severe coastal flooding is possible

    Coastal flood warning – Issued when moderate to severe coastal flooding occurs or is imminent. This flooding poses a serious threat to life and property.

    Extreme wind warning – Generally issued when there are sustained thunderstorm winds of 31-39 mph and/or gusts of 46-57 mph over land.

    Flash flood warning – Issued when a flash flood threatens or occurs.

    Flood watch – Issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. That doesn't mean there will be flooding, but it is what it is possible.

    Flood warning – Issued when flooding is threatened or occurs.

    Storm surge – The unusual rise in water levels caused by a storm beyond the predicted astronomical high tide.

    squalls – A strong wind characterized by a sudden onset in which the wind speed increases by at least 16 knots and continues at 22 knots or more for at least one minute.

    Gust line – A series of active thunderstorms, either continuous or intermittent, including contiguous areas of precipitation resulting from the existence of the thunderstorms.

    Wind warning – Issued when the following conditions are expected, e.g. B. sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph for an hour or more and wind gusts of 46 to 57 mph for any duration.

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