Tropical
Storm Classification 
| Tropical Depression | 38 mph or Below |
| Tropical Storm | 39-73 mph |
| Hurricane | 74 mph or Greater |
Saffir-Simpson
Scale
Hurricane Classification
| Strength | Winds Speed (mph) | Pressure (millibars) | Surge heights (feet) |
| Category 1 | 74-95 mph | 980 mb or greater | 4-5 |
| Category 2 | 96-110 mph | 965-979 mb | 6-8 |
| Category 3 | 111-130 mph | 945-964 mb | 9-12 |
| Category 4 | 131-155 mph | 920-944 mb | 13-18 |
| Category 5 | >155 mph | 919 mb or lower | 18+ |
Hurricane Watches & Warnings
A HURRICANE WATCH issued for your part of the coast indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. This WATCH should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures should be initiated. Especially, those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat and leaving a barrier island.
A HURRICANE WARNING issued for your part of the coast indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours. Once this WARNING has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.