Flood Watch
FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
Flood Watch map: active flood watches now
1 flood watch is in effect right now for parts of Washington.
Heavy rain or snowmelt could cause flooding or flash flooding. Be ready to act if a warning is issued.
Updated from the National Weather Service · lists refresh hourly; the live map loads current alerts directly from the NWS
Map data: NWS, OpenFreeMap, OpenStreetMap
Active flood watches
Washington 1
What is a flood watch?
A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding, including flash flooding, in and near the watch area. Watches are issued ahead of heavy-rain events such as slow-moving storms, tropical systems and atmospheric rivers, often 12 to 48 hours in advance.
What to do
- Know whether your home, school or commute is in a flood-prone area.
- Clear gutters and storm drains near your home if it is safe.
- Plan a route to higher ground and keep your phone charged.
How often flood watches are issued
From 2016 through 2025 the National Weather Service issued an average of 862 flood watches per year across the country, and 931 so far in 2026. Each count is one alert event, which can cover one or many counties.
States with the most flood watches
| State | Average per year |
|---|---|
| Texas | 69.8 |
| California | 66.7 |
| Virginia | 58.4 |
| Missouri | 48.5 |
| Kentucky | 47.6 |
| North Carolina | 45.3 |
| Pennsylvania | 44.9 |
| West Virginia | 43.8 |
| Illinois | 41.6 |
| Kansas | 40.4 |
| New Mexico | 38.2 |
| New York | 37.5 |
| Arkansas | 37.3 |
| Georgia | 34.8 |
| Indiana | 34.4 |
Flood Watches by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington1
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Puerto Rico
Related alerts
Frequently asked questions
Does a flood watch mean it will flood?
No. It means flooding is possible. A flood warning or flash flood warning is issued when flooding is happening or imminent.