Prepare to evacuate, if advised to do so by the Governor or elected officials through radio or television announcements. Plan to evacuate as early as possible before hurricane gale force winds and storm surge force road closings. Leaving early may also help you to avoid massive traffic jams encountered during late evacuation efforts. Listen to the radio and/or television for evacuation and sheltering information. Storm advisories are issued as follows:

Tropical Storm Watch
Tropical Storm conditions are possible in the specified area of the Watch, usually within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning
Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 24 hours. Hurricane Watch Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the Watch, usually within 36 hours.

Hurricane Watch
Hurricane conditions are expected in the specific area of the Watch, usually within 36 hour.

Hurricane Warning
Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 24 hours.

TERMS TO KNOW

Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds near the surface of less than 39 m.p.h.

Tropical Cyclone: A low pressure weather system in which the central core is warmer than the surrounding atmosphere. Storms called hurricanes or typhoons elsewhere are called tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean and around the Coral Sea off northeastern Australia.
Tropical Storm Watch: An announcement for a specific area that a tropical storm or an unexpected tropical storm condition poses a possible threat within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning: A warning for tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained winds of 39 to 73 m.p.h. Tropical Storm: Tropical cyclone with 39 to 73 m.p.h. winds.

Hurricane Watch: "The first alert when a hurricane poses a possible, but as yet, uncertain threat to the coastal area, or when a tropical storm threatens the watch area and has a 50-50 chance of intensifying into a hurricane." When a watch is issued, everyone in the area should listen for advisories, watch the probabilities issued by the Hurricane Center and be prepared to act quickly if a hurricane warning is issued.

Hurricane Warning: "A warning that, within 24 hours or less, a specific coastal area will experience: a) sustained winds of 74 m.p.h. or higher and/or b) dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, even though winds may be less than hurricane force."

Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with winds of 74 m.p.h. or more.

Typhoon: A hurricane in the north Pacific west of the International Date Line

Hurricanes have been classified into five categories according to their central pressure, wind speed and storm surge: a Category One hurricane being the weakest and a Category Five hurricane being the strongest. By using a disaster potential scale, it is easier to compare different hurricanes and also communicate the hazards with an approaching hurricane to the public.

DURING THE HURRICANE

Do not stay in a mobile home during a hurricane. Even if a mobile home is anchored, there is no guarantee it will withstand the strong winds of a hurricane. If you are unable to evacuate before the hurricane hits, stay inside. Do not be fooled by the eye of the hurricane and its temporary period of peaceful weather conditions. The length of time within the eye varies from several minutes to a couple of hours, depending on the size of the storm. The larger and more intense the hurricane, the larger the eye. Stay away from windows and glass doors. You could be struck by flying debris. Continue to listen to your radio or television for hurricane updates and emergency information.