FPL | Storm Terms You Should Know

Preparing for
the Storm

Prepare your Home

Prepare your Business

How FPL Prepares

Before and During
the Storm

Before the Storm Approaches

As the Storm Approaches

Storm Tracker/Facts

After the Storm

What to do
After the Storm

Safety After
the Storm

Restoration Plan

We're Prepared
to Restore

Restoration FAQs

Storm Terms You Should Know

Tropical Depression

An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation and top sustained winds of less than 39 miles-per-hour.

Tropical Storm

An organized system of strong storms with a defined circulation and top sustained winds of between 39 - 74 mph.

Tropical Storm Watch

Tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning

Tropical storm conditions are expected in the affected area within 24 hours.

Hurricane

An intense tropical weather system with a well-defined circulation and a sustained wind speed of 74 mph or higher:

Category 1 Hurricane — winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt)
- No real damage to buildings. Damage to unanchored mobile homes. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage.
- Examples: Irene 1999 and Allison 1995
Category 2 Hurricane — winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt)
- Some damage to building roofs, doors and windows. Considerable damage to mobile homes. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings. Some trees blown down.
- Examples: Bonnie 1998, Georges 1998 and Gloria 1985
Category 3 Hurricane — winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt)
- Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings. Large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly built signs destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
- Examples: Jeanne 2004, Keith 2000, Fran 1996, Opal 1995, Alicia 1983 and Betsy 1965
Category 4 Hurricane — winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt)
- More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
- Examples: Frances 2004, Charley 2004, Hugo 1989 and Donna 1960
Category 5 Hurricane — winds 156 mph and up (135+ kt)
- Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required.
- Examples: Andrew 1992, Camille 1969 and Labor Day 1935

Hurricane Watch

Hurricane conditions are possible within the specified area within 36 hours. At this point, take immediate action to protect your family and property.

Hurricane Warning

Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area within 24 hours.

Storm Surge

A rapidly rising dome of seawater up to 20 feet high that arrives with a hurricane. Evacuation zones are identified according to their susceptibility to this occurrence.