Knowing the difference between flood watch vs. flood warning can help you prepare for the oncoming danger. You become more aware of the risks and take necessary measures to safeguard your property and the people inhabiting it. When dealing with the threat, our company offers the best disaster restoration services available in the area.
We can tackle a diverse range of property loss and handle repairs related to water damage restoration. Our experts are also capable of dispatching emergency responders for immediate home reconstruction if required.
Flood Watch vs. Flood Warning: The Basics
Here’s a clear distinction between flood watch vs. flood warning:
What’s a Flood Watch?
A flood watch is issued by The National Weather Service (NWS). It broadcasts these alerts for particular bodies of water or points within those waterways. Alternatively, a flood watch alert can be issued on a county-to-county basis if the body of water (like a river) flows through different counties.
The NWS issues a flood watch to notify residents of an expected flood within the next 24-48 hours. The term watch implies that the advisory and weather forecasters observe the weather conditions and advise residents to do the same as you look out for the natural disaster that will likely hit the area.
In these instances, the advisory can’t guarantee whether or not the flood will occur. Rather, these alerts are sent as a preventive measure according to weather conditions that could lead to a flood in the area.
What Can You Do?
It’s best to pay attention to local weather reports shared on radio stations and TV news channels. Listening in will ensure you know when to evacuate your home or move to higher ground.
What Is a Flood Warning?
The primary difference between flood watch vs. flood warning is that the NWS issues warnings when the threat is imminent. In most cases, the flooding has either begun or is most likely to happen in less than 24 hours.
The typical agency shares the following details during the warning:
- Real-time weather updates to increase awareness
- The position of the roadblocks placed to break the flow of the oncoming flood and prevent drivers from crossing targeted routes
- Guidelines on the evacuation protocols
- Location and contact details of emergency shelters
Besides this, the NWS shares flood safety tips to minimize casualties and massive destruction during the flood.
What Can You Do?
Board up your homes to prevent water and high winds from breaking windows or entering the house through open spaces. Move to higher ground to prevent the fast-flowing flood from sweeping you off when it crosses your area.
Are There Other Types of Flood Alerts?
Yes, the NWS does release flash flood watches and warnings. The difference between flood watch vs. flash warning remains the same here. The advisory agency issues these notifications when a torrential downpour fills the river (or the dam) and causes it to overflow.
Flash floods move rapidly and can wreak havoc within minutes of the announcement. They can even occur in nearby areas that might not receive rain during the flood.
Our water damage restoration experts strongly advise residents to move to higher ground as soon as possible.
Flood Watch vs. Flood Warning: The Prep
There’s no major distinction between flood watch vs. flood warning safety plans. That’s why the same action plan will work in both cases.
Nevertheless, you should not leave flood preparedness plans till the last minute. You need to discuss the possibility of evacuation and a goal-oriented safety strategy long before the NWS issues a flood watch or warning. In this way, you’ll more likely beat the odds and minimize the impact of the disaster.
Here’s what you can do:
#1. Survey Your House
Homes with maintenance issues and signs of water damage get affected more severely than other properties during a flood. Limit destruction by calling home restoration experts beforehand. They can repair roofs, fix plumbing, mitigate mold issues, and check crawlspaces beforehand.
Besides this, you should trim shrubs and overhead branches to ensure they don’t fall on your roof.
#2. Create a Proactive Home Safety Plan
Use the information received during the assessment to safeguard vulnerable areas of your residential property.
These preventive steps can help you and your home:
- Clear clutter (like dead leaves, twigs, dirt) from roofs, gutters, and downspouts
- Pack an emergency first aid kit and an all-essential backpack for a quick escape
- Shift valuable items, documents, and antique collectibles to the upper level of your building
- Seal off and replace exposed wiring
- Place electrical appliances on top shelves
- Board windows, doors, and open entryways to create a barrier between your property and the oncoming flood water
#3. Sign Up for Flood Insurance
Floods in PG County aren’t uncommon. Avoid costly repairs and risks by signing a homeowner’s insurance policy covering water damage restoration. It can reduce reconstruction costs in the event of a disaster.
911 Restoration of PG County supports this endeavor by billing your insurance provider instead of you. It’s only possible in cases when you’re already insured.
In a Nutshell
When it comes to discussions about flood watch vs. flood warning, the primary difference lies in the severity of the situation. Flood watch indicates that disaster might occur in the area, and residents must mind broadcast channels for further instructions.
On the other hand, flood warnings refer to advisory messages that request the public to be on high alert before or during the disaster. Residents should take relevant steps to safeguard their properties when they receive the warning.
As your trusted disaster recovery service provider, we are here for you regardless of the situation. You can count on our trained technicians to reverse property damages sustained in the aftermath. Our emergency response team can help you with everything from small leaks, minor plumbing issues to electrical fires. We’re equally efficient in creating complete water damage restoration plans with mold remediation support. All thanks to our specialized industry-grade equipment and IICRC-training.
Contact 911 Restoration of PG County to receive reliable assistance to protect your property and return it to pre-disaster condition.
