Living in Florida, especially in areas like Brevard County and Indian River County, hurricane season is a regular part of life. Whether you’ve experienced numerous hurricanes or are new to the area, understanding the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning is crucial for ensuring you’re adequately prepared. These alerts serve as essential signals for when you need to take action to protect your family, home, and belongings.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into what each of these terms means, how to prepare, and how hurricane protection services like hurricane shutters, impact patio screens, and impact garage screens can help keep your home safe during a storm.
One of the most common areas of confusion during hurricane season is understanding the difference between a watch and a warning. Both are serious, but they indicate different levels of immediacy.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible in a specified area. When a watch is issued, it’s usually done 48 hours before the expected arrival of tropical storm-force winds. A watch doesn’t guarantee a hurricane will hit, but it signals that the conditions are favorable for a storm to develop.
During a hurricane watch, you should be on high alert and start preparing your home and family in case the situation escalates. This is the time to review your emergency plans, check your supplies, and ensure your home is protected.
A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the specified area. Warnings are generally issued 36 hours before tropical storm-force winds are anticipated. This means that a hurricane is imminent, and you need to take immediate action to protect yourself and your property.
During a warning, it’s too late to start preparing for a storm—you should already have your plans in place and begin putting them into action. This could include evacuating, boarding up windows, and securing outdoor items.
No matter how many hurricane seasons you’ve experienced, preparation is key to weathering a storm safely. Here’s a checklist of steps to take when a watch or warning is issued:
If a hurricane watch is issued, review your evacuation routes and communication plans. Make sure everyone in your household knows where to go and what to do if the storm intensifies.
Ensure that you have enough food, water, batteries, and medical supplies for at least three days. Check that your flashlights and portable radios are in working order.
Fill up your gas tank in case evacuation becomes necessary. Lines at gas stations can be long during a hurricane watch, and you don't want to be caught unprepared.
Move patio furniture, grills, and any outdoor decorations inside to prevent them from becoming projectiles in high winds.
This is the ideal time to double-check that your hurricane shutters and impact screens are in good condition.
Once a warning is issued, you need to be ready to move quickly. Secure your home, ensure all windows and doors are covered, and make the final decision about whether to evacuate.
If you have hurricane shutters or impact screens from Lafferty Hurricane Protection, now is the time to deploy them. These solutions are designed to withstand high winds and flying debris, keeping your home safe during the storm.
Keep a battery-operated radio or weather app handy for the latest updates and evacuation notices. Follow the instructions of local authorities and be prepared to leave immediately if an evacuation order is issued.
When a hurricane watch or warning is issued, you want peace of mind knowing that your home is well-protected. At Lafferty Hurricane Protection, we offer a range of solutions that can help safeguard your home from hurricane-force winds and flying debris.
Our hurricane shutters are engineered to meet the stringent standards of the Florida Building Code (FBC) and can withstand winds of up to 160 mph. Available in various styles such as accordion, Bahama, and colonial shutters, they offer a balance of aesthetic appeal and robust protection. When a storm is on the horizon, deploying your hurricane shutters can make all the difference in keeping your home safe.
Patios can be vulnerable during a hurricane, but our impact patio screens are designed to withstand winds up to 160 mph while offering additional benefits such as UV protection and privacy. These motorized screens not only shield your outdoor space from flying debris but also keep it cool and protected year-round.
The garage is often one of the largest and most vulnerable openings in a home during a hurricane. Our impact garage screens are specifically built to protect this vital area. Like our patio screens, these motorized options are designed with 50% aramid fibers, the same material used in ballistic vests, making them incredibly durable and able to protect your garage from the worst of the storm.
At Lafferty Hurricane Protection, we understand the stress that comes with hurricane season, which is why we offer the highest-quality hurricane shutters and impact screens to give you peace of mind. Our products meet FBC and High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) standards, ensuring your home is protected against Florida’s most severe weather conditions.
With options like motorized impact patio and garage screens, our solutions are convenient and easy to use. You can deploy them at the touch of a button, ensuring that your home is ready for a storm in seconds. Plus, our hurricane shutters come in a variety of styles to match your home’s aesthetic while providing unparalleled protection.
Hurricane season is unpredictable, but your preparation doesn’t have to be. Understanding the difference between a watch and a warning can help you take the appropriate steps when a storm is approaching. And with hurricane protection services from Lafferty Hurricane Protection, you can feel confident that your home is ready to weather any storm.
If you’re looking to enhance your hurricane preparedness with the best protection options available, contact us today. Let us help you safeguard your home with our high-quality hurricane shutters, impact patio screens, and impact garage screens. Protect your home before the next hurricane hits—because when a warning is issued, it’s often too late.
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