Hurricane Watch vs. Warning: When is the Right Time to Put Up Shutters?
When a tropical system forms in the Atlantic, a sense of anxiety begins to build along the Carolina coast. As the storm gets closer, the National Hurricane Center will issue specific alerts for our area. The two most important alerts are the **Hurricane Watch** and the **Hurricane Warning**. Understanding the difference between these two is absolutely critical for knowing when to put up your hurricane shutters.
Waiting too long can put you and your family in a dangerous situation. At American Hurricane Shutters, we believe that a key part of storm safety is having a calm, confident plan. This guide will clarify these official terms and provide a clear timeline for deploying your storm protection safely and without stress.
Defining the Terms: Watch vs. Warning
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have very specific and different meanings. Knowing them is the first step in your preparedness plan.
Hurricane Watch
A Hurricane Watch means that **hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are POSSIBLE** within the specified area. A watch is typically issued **48 hours** before the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.
Think of this as the “Get Ready” signal. This is your 48-hour heads-up. It’s the time to review your hurricane plan, top off your supplies, and begin preparing your home.
Hurricane Warning
A Hurricane Warning means that **hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are EXPECTED** within the specified area. A warning is typically issued **36 hours** before the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.
Think of this as the “Take Action” signal. By the time a warning is issued, your preparations should be rushed to completion, as weather conditions will soon begin to deteriorate, making outdoor work dangerous.
The Golden Rule: Prepare During the WATCH Phase
The answer to “When should I put up my hurricane shutters?” is simple and unwavering: **You should have your shutters fully installed and secured by the end of the Hurricane Watch phase.**
The 48-hour window provided by a Hurricane Watch is your gift of time. During this period, the weather is still calm, the winds are light, and you can work safely and deliberately without the stress of a looming deadline. Waiting until a Warning is issued is a dangerous gamble. The outer bands of a hurricane can bring strong winds and torrential rain well before the storm’s official arrival, making it extremely hazardous to be on a ladder or handling large panels.
How Your Shutter Type Affects Your Timeline
The type of shutter system you have will dramatically impact how you use the “Watch” window. This is where the value of convenient, permanently installed systems truly shines.
If You Have Storm Panels (Aluminum or Polycarbonate)
Your preparation will be the most time-consuming. You need to start your installation at the very beginning of the Watch phase. The process involves hauling the panels from storage, lining them up with the correct windows, and securing dozens of wing nuts. For an average-sized home, this can take several hours, even for a handy person. Don’t underestimate the time required.
If You Have Accordion or Decorative Shutters
Your task is much simpler and faster. You can complete your shutter prep in under an hour. You simply need to walk around your home, slide the accordion shutters closed, or swing the Colonial or Bahama shutters into place, and engage the locking mechanisms. This can easily be done in the middle of the Watch phase, leaving you plenty of time for other preparations.
If You Have Roll-Down Shutters
You have the ultimate advantage. Your preparation time is measured in minutes, not hours. At any point during the Watch phase, you can walk through your home and deploy every shutter. If you have a motorized system, the entire house can be secured in less than five minutes with the push of a button. This is the pinnacle of stress-free preparation.
Make Your “Watch” Window a Time of Calm, Not Chaos
The peace of mind that comes from being prepared is priceless. Investing in a permanent, easy-to-deploy shutter system transforms the stressful “watch” window into a calm, confident period of final preparations.
If you’re tired of the plywood scramble or the long hours it takes to install panels, let’s talk about an upgrade. Call American Hurricane Shutters today at (910) 256-1288 or email the owner, Matthew Burns, at matt.burns@ahscarolinas.com to learn how our systems can make your hurricane prep safer and easier.
