This system was devised by Carolina Forecast. A brief overview of how we determine
the threat level is listed below. The threat level may remain low for storms well off
shore. If any of the threats listed in a category are possible it may be classified as
such, but not all conditions listed will actually occur. It should not be used alone for
planning purposes. Always listen to your local government officials and local law
enforcement for instructions on what to do in an emergency.
Green (low impact)
Winds less than 58 mph
Rainfall less than 4 inches
Storm surge less than 2 feet
Minor power outages, small tree limbs downed,
difficulty driving high profile vehicles
Yellow (moderate impact)
Winds of 58 - 74 mph
Rainfall 4 - 8 inches
Storm surge 2 - 4 feet
Sporadic power outages likely, small trees downed,
small objects blown around, minor flooding
Orange (high impact)
Winds 74 - 110 mph
Rainfall 8 - 16 inches
Storm surge 6 - 8 feet
Widespread power outages, large trees uprooted,
larger objects blown around, moderate flooding,
voluntary evacuations likely
Red (very high impact)
Winds 111 - 155 mph
Rainfall 16 - 32 inches
Storm surge 9 - 18 feet
Power is out, numerous trees uprooted, shingles blown off,
windows blown out, everything blown around, major flooding,
mandatory evacuations likely
Violet (devastating impact)
Winds greater than 155 mph
Rainfall greater than 32 inches
Storm surge greater than 18 feet
Better get out of the way, total destruction,
all trees threatened, objects become missiles,
near record floods, mandatory evacuations
the threat level is listed below. The threat level may remain low for storms well off
shore. If any of the threats listed in a category are possible it may be classified as
such, but not all conditions listed will actually occur. It should not be used alone for
planning purposes. Always listen to your local government officials and local law
enforcement for instructions on what to do in an emergency.
Green (low impact)
Winds less than 58 mph
Rainfall less than 4 inches
Storm surge less than 2 feet
Minor power outages, small tree limbs downed,
difficulty driving high profile vehicles
Yellow (moderate impact)
Winds of 58 - 74 mph
Rainfall 4 - 8 inches
Storm surge 2 - 4 feet
Sporadic power outages likely, small trees downed,
small objects blown around, minor flooding
Orange (high impact)
Winds 74 - 110 mph
Rainfall 8 - 16 inches
Storm surge 6 - 8 feet
Widespread power outages, large trees uprooted,
larger objects blown around, moderate flooding,
voluntary evacuations likely
Red (very high impact)
Winds 111 - 155 mph
Rainfall 16 - 32 inches
Storm surge 9 - 18 feet
Power is out, numerous trees uprooted, shingles blown off,
windows blown out, everything blown around, major flooding,
mandatory evacuations likely
Violet (devastating impact)
Winds greater than 155 mph
Rainfall greater than 32 inches
Storm surge greater than 18 feet
Better get out of the way, total destruction,
all trees threatened, objects become missiles,
near record floods, mandatory evacuations
