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A Coastal Flood Watch means significant coastal flooding is possible; prepare, monitor updates and be ready to move to safe ground. A Coastal Flood Warning means serious coastal flooding is occurring, imminent or expected soon under the local definition; take protective action and follow evacuation instructions. An Advisory generally signals minor or nuisance flooding. The alert’s location, timing, impacts and instructions matter more than the label alone.
How the three coastal flood alerts differ
| Alert | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood Watch | Significant coastal flooding is possible if conditions develop as forecast. A watch is not a guarantee that flooding will occur. | Prepare, check updates and be ready to move to safe ground. |
| Coastal Flood Warning | Serious coastal flooding is occurring, imminent or expected soon under the local product definition. | Protect life first, follow evacuation orders and stay out of floodwater. |
| Coastal Flood Advisory | Minor or nuisance coastal flooding is occurring or possible under local criteria. | Be aware of local impacts; do not assume low-lying roads or shoreline areas are safe. |
These labels describe likelihood, urgency and expected severity, but the details vary by location. A warning does not have one universal water-level threshold or lead time. Read the alert for the affected places, valid period, expected impacts and recommended actions. National Weather Service (NWS) product messages may include event times, the basis for a warning, impacts and calls to action (NWS Boston product descriptions).
What to do during a coastal flood watch
- Read the current alert. Check which communities or zones are included, when the threat is expected, what impacts are forecast and when the alert expires. Monitor updates: a watch can be upgraded, downgraded to an advisory or canceled as conditions change (NWS Wilmington alert criteria).
- Plan where you would go. Identify a route and a destination on higher ground or inland. Be ready to leave if flooding becomes imminent or officials direct evacuation. NWS Melbourne advises people in a watch area to be ready to move to safe ground if flooding occurs or a warning is issued (NWS Melbourne coastal flood safety).
- Keep receiving updates. Use more than one way to get information, such as local radio and television and, if possible, NOAA Weather Radio (NWS flood safety guidance).
- Secure property only if it is safe. If time and conditions allow, secure loose outdoor items. Do not put yourself at risk to protect belongings.
What to do during a warning, rising water or evacuation order
- Follow local emergency instructions and evacuate promptly when directed. Do not wait for water to become visible if officials tell you to leave.
- Move inland or to higher ground. Leave the coast when flooding is observed or expected in your area.
- Never walk or drive through floodwater. Water can conceal hazards, and flooded roads may be damaged. Do not go around barricades or drive onto flooded roads (NWS flood warning and safety guidance).
- If water traps you, move to the highest possible point or floor and call for help if you can.
- Keep away from surf and exposed coastal structures. Do not approach the shore to watch rising water or large waves, or go onto exposed structures to fish. Waves can sweep across areas that appeared dry (NWS Melbourne coastal flood safety).
For additional flood safety guidance, see the NWS pages on flood warnings and what to do during a flood.
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NWS forecast offices use local criteria, so published lead times should not be treated as a promise for every coast. For example, NWS Wilmington describes a watch criterion for significant flooding within 12 to 36 hours under its local criteria; it also describes a warning for significant flooding occurring or imminent within 24 hours. Its watch criterion includes water levels at least 2.5 feet above minor coastal flood thresholds for the specified significant-flood setup (NWS Wilmington criteria).
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NWS Boston describes coastal flood watches issued 12 to 48 hours in advance and warnings for serious flooding occurring, imminent or highly likely in the first 12 to 24 hours. The national product description gives a general watch window of 12 to 48 hours (NWS Boston product descriptions). These are different local and product contexts, not universal thresholds or guaranteed notice periods. Boston describes impacts by severity, including vulnerable roads and basements, erosion, closures, isolation and threats to life (NWS Boston coastal flood criteria).
Use the alert issued for your location rather than applying another office’s timing or water-level criterion. NWS archived national guidance dated November 10, 2014, is historical context and should not replace current local criteria (NWSI 10-320).
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What to look for in the alert
- Affected locations: Confirm whether your community, route or destination is included.
- Valid times: Note when the alert begins and ends and when impacts are expected.
- Expected impacts: Look for details on flooding, road closures, erosion or other local hazards.
- Recommended actions: Follow the alert and local emergency-management directions, especially any evacuation instruction.
Because watches can change, check the latest official message rather than relying on an old screenshot or a general description of alert labels.
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