Hurricane watches and warnings are given to inform residents of potential storms or hurricanes. The difference between a watch and warning is related to the certainty officials have that a storm will hit a certain area and how soon that area will be hit. A hurricane watch is issued for a coastal area when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours whereas a hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. People who live in high-risk areas such as barrier islands and manufactured home communities should stay with relatives, friends or in a hotel or motel on the mainland. Shelters should be used only as a last resort.
Hurricanes are extremely dangerous storms.
Most damage is the result of storm surges, but rainfall and strong winds also contribute to destruction. The stronger the hurricane and the shallower the offshore water, the higher the surge will be. Along the immediate coast, storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property and claims nine of ten victims in a hurricane. If a storm surge arrives at the same time as a high tide, the water height will be even higher. The storm tide is the combination of the storm surge and the normal astronomical tide.