Tropical Wave
A low pressure trough moving generally westward with the trade winds.

Tropical Disturbance
An organized area of thunderstorms that usually forms in the tropics. Typically, they maintain their identity for 24 hours and are accompanied by heavy rains and gusty winds.

Tropical Cyclone
A generic term for any organized low pressure system which develops over tropical and sometimes subtropical waters. Tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes are examples of tropical cyclones.

Tropical Depression
An organized area of low pressure in which sustained winds are 38 miles per hour or less.

Tropical Storm
A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained wind speeds that range from 39 to 73 miles per hour.

Hurricane
A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour.

How you will be warned

Consult The Weather Channel or your local TV or radio station for accurate and timely updates on developing tropical storms in your area.

Four key alerts are issued that relate specifically hurricanes:

Tropical Storm Watch
Tropical storm conditions with sustained winds from 39 to 74 mph are possible in your area within the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning
Tropical storm conditions are expected in your are within 24 hours.

Hurricane Watch
Hurricane conditions (sustained winds greater than 74 mph) are possible in your area within 36 hours.

Hurricane Warning
Hurricane conditions are expected in your are in 24 hours or less.

Links

National Weather Service: Hurricane Center

South Carolina Evacuation Routes

S.C. Emergency Management Division

The Weather Channel

WBTW-TV Florence-Myrtle Beach

WPDE-TV Florence-Grand Strand and Pee Dee

Channel 2 WCBD-TV- Charleston

Channel 4 WCIV-TV-Charleston

Channel 5 WCSC-TV-Charleston

The Sun News- Myrtle Beach

The Post and Courier- Charleston

The State - Columbia