Hydrologic Terms
The following terms either ALERT hydrologic
interests of flooding situations that may cause
some inconvenience, or WARN hydrologic interests
of flooding situations that may pose a threat to
life and property.
| PRODUCT |
Description |
| FLOOD WATCH |
Indicates
that flash flooding is a possibility in
and close to the watch area. Those in
the affected area are urged to be ready
to take quick action if a flash flood
warning is issued or flooding is
observed. These watches are issued for
rapid flooding that is expected to occur
during or within 6 hours after heavy
rain has ended. |
| FLASH
FLOOD WARNING |
Issued
for life/property threatening rapid
flooding that occurs during or within 6
hours after heavy rain has ended. It
could be issued for rural or urban areas
as well as for small streams and creeks.
The degree of flash flooding depends on
local terrain, ground cover, degree of
urbanization, amount of man-made changes
to the natural river banks, and initial
ground or river conditions. Dam breaks
or ice jams can also create flash
flooding. |
| URBAN
AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY |
Alerts
the public to flooding which is
generally only an inconvenience and does
not pose a threat to life and/or
property. Issued when heavy rain will
cause flooding of streets and low-lying
places in urban areas, or if small rural
or urban streams are expected to reach
or exceed bankfull. |
| FLASH
FLOOD STATEMENT |
Used
as a follow-up to Flash Flood Warnings
and Watches. The statement will contain
the latest information on the event. |
| FLOOD
WATCH |
Indicates
that widespread flooding is a
possibility in and close to the watch
area. Those in the affected area are
urged to be ready to take quick action
if a flood warning is issued or flooding
is observed. These watches are issued
for general flooding that is expected to
occur during or within 12 hours after
heavy rain has ended. |
| FLOOD
WARNING |
Issued
for life/property threatening general
flooding that occurs during or within 12
hours after heavy rainfall has ended. It
could be issued for rural or urban areas
as well as for areas along small streams
and creeks. |
| FLOOD
STATEMENT |
Used
as a follow-up to Flood Warnings and
Watches. The statement will contain the
latest information on the event. |
| FLOOD
POTENTIAL OUTLOOK |
Used
to inform the public of the potential
for heavy rain and/or large scale river
flooding. Issued more than 12 hours in
advance of a possible event. |
| FLOOD
WARNING (RIVER) |
Used
to inform the public of long-term (more
than 12 hours) flooding along major
streams and rivers, which is a threat to
life and/or property. Usually contains
river stage forecast and crest
information, and the history and impact
of the flood. |
| FLOOD
STATEMENT (RIVER) |
Used
to update and expand information in a
river Flood Warning. May also be used in
lieu of a Flood Warning if flooding is
expected or imminent, but does not pose
a threat to life and/or property. |
| RIVER
STATEMENT |
Used
to provide information about
non-routine, non-flooding situations on
main stem rivers. |
| RIVER
SUMMARY |
Contains
routine and forecast hydrological
information, such as observed river
readings, precipitation reports, and
river forecasts. |
| RIVER
RECREATION STATEMENT |
Commonly
used to provide forecasts of the pool
and outflow for various reservoirs
across a Hydrologic Service Area. |
| |
RSS Feeds