Flood watch

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A Flood watch is issued when weather conditions are favorable for very heavy rain and flash flooding.

A Flood warning is issued when flooding in a certain area is imminent or occurring.

In Canada, a heavy rainfall warning (which indicates rainfall amounts that could produce flooding are expected) has basically the same meaning as a flood watch.

A watch does not mean that flooding is actually occurring, only that conditions have created or will create a significant risk for it. If flooding actually does occur, a flood warning and urgent action should be taken.

Formerly, flood watches were issued separately from flash flood watches; however, the two were recently merged into a single product.

In the United States, the National Weather Service issues watches and warnings for flooding on a per-county basis.

In Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology issues a flood watch that covers similar conditions to the United States Flood Watch, however it is known by slightly different names in some states.