Flood Watch: Free Real-Time Flood Alerts for Every State — Now Live at StormBag.co
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT — StormBag has launched a free, real-time flood alert dashboard at stormbag.co/pages/flood-watch. The Flood Watch page pulls live data directly from the National Weather Service (NWS) API and displays every active flood warning, flood watch, flood advisory, and hydrologic outlook in the United States — updated automatically every 60 seconds. No app download required. No account required. Just open the page.
Whether you live in a hurricane zone along the Gulf Coast, a flash flood corridor in the Midwest, or a coastal community in the Pacific Northwest, this tool gives you one place to check for flood alerts in your area — right now, for free.
Why We Built Flood Watch
Flood damage is the most common and most costly natural disaster in the United States. According to FEMA, flooding causes more than $5 billion in damages annually and affects every single state and territory. Yet most people do not monitor flood alerts until water is already at their door.
We built the Flood Watch dashboard because knowing about a flood before it reaches you is the single most important factor in whether you can protect your home. A flood warning with two hours of lead time is enough time to deploy StormBags at every entry point of your house. A flood warning you never see is a flood you cannot prepare for.
What the Flood Watch Page Shows You
The Flood Watch page at stormbag.co/pages/flood-watch displays real-time flood and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. Here is what you will find when you open it:
- Summary counters — Total active alerts, warnings, watches, and advisories across the country at a glance.
- Active alert cards — Each alert shows the alert type (Flood Warning, Flood Watch, Flood Advisory, Coastal Flood Advisory, or Hydrologic Outlook), severity level, the issuing NWS office, affected counties and regions, time issued, and expiration.
- State filter — A dropdown menu lets you filter alerts by any U.S. state or territory, including Washington DC, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.
- National overview sidebar — A clickable grid of all states and zones with active alerts and their alert counts. Click any state abbreviation to instantly filter the list.
- View toggle — Switch between "Flood Alerts" (flood-specific warnings and watches only) and "All Weather" (the full spectrum of active NWS alerts including severe storms, wind, and other hazards).
- Auto-refresh — The page automatically refreshes its data every 60 seconds so you always see the latest alerts without reloading.
- External resources — Direct links to NWS Flood Safety, FEMA Flood Maps, Ready.gov Flood guidance, and the USGS Flood Event Viewer for additional information.
How to Use the Flood Watch Page: Step-by-Step
Using the Flood Watch tool takes less than 30 seconds. Here is how:
- Open the page. Go to stormbag.co/pages/flood-watch on any device — phone, tablet, or computer. No app download, no sign-up.
- Check the summary counters. The top of the page shows the total number of active flood alerts, broken into Warnings, Watches, and Advisories. This gives you an immediate national snapshot.
- Filter by your state. Use the state dropdown or click your state abbreviation in the National Overview sidebar. The alert list instantly filters to show only alerts affecting your state.
- Read the alerts. Each alert card includes the specific counties and regions affected, the NWS office that issued it, when it was issued, and when it expires. Click the expand arrow on any alert to read the full NWS alert text.
- Switch to All Weather if needed. If you want to see more than just flood alerts — including severe thunderstorm warnings, wind advisories, and other NWS products — click the "All Weather" tab.
- Bookmark the page. Add stormbag.co/pages/flood-watch to your bookmarks or home screen for one-tap access during storm season.
Understanding Flood Alert Types
The National Weather Service issues several types of flood-related alerts. Knowing the difference can save your life and your property:
- Flood Watch — "Be Prepared" — Conditions are favorable for flooding. Flooding is possible but not certain. This is your signal to prepare: check your supplies, locate your StormBags, and monitor updates.
- Flood Warning — "Take Action" — Flooding is imminent or already occurring. If you are in the affected area, deploy your flood barriers immediately and be ready to evacuate if directed.
- Flash Flood Warning — "Take Action" — A flash flood is imminent or occurring. Flash floods develop in minutes to hours and can be violent. Move to higher ground immediately if you are in a flood-prone area.
- Flood Advisory — "Be Aware" — Flooding is not expected to be severe enough to issue a warning, but it may cause significant inconvenience and could threaten life or property if caution is not exercised.
- Coastal Flood Advisory — Minor coastal flooding is expected, particularly in low-lying areas near the coast, bays, and tidal rivers.
- Hydrologic Outlook — An extended outlook for potential flooding conditions over the coming days. Use this to plan ahead.
Flood Safety Resources
The Flood Watch page includes direct links to these official resources — and we recommend bookmarking each one:
- NWS Flood Safety — Official warnings, safety tips, and preparedness information from the National Weather Service.
- FEMA Flood Maps — Search flood maps and assess your property's flood risk zone.
- Ready.gov — Floods — Federal guidance on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from floods.
- USGS Flood Event Viewer — An interactive map of current and recent flood events across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out about flood alerts in my area?
The fastest way is to visit StormBag's Flood Watch page and use the state filter dropdown to select your state. The page displays every active NWS flood alert for your state, including the specific counties and regions affected, severity level, and expiration time. The data refreshes automatically every 60 seconds. You can also sign up for alerts through your local NWS office, FEMA's emergency alert system, or your county's community warning system.
Is the Flood Watch page free to use?
Yes. The Flood Watch page at stormbag.co/pages/flood-watch is completely free. No account, no login, no app download required. It works on any device with a web browser.
Where does the flood alert data come from?
All alert data comes directly from the National Weather Service API. The NWS is the official source for weather and flood alerts in the United States. StormBag's Flood Watch page simply presents this data in a clean, filterable, auto-refreshing format.
What is the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning?
A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flooding — it is possible but not certain. The NWS says to "Be Prepared." A Flood Warning means flooding is imminent or already happening — the NWS says to "Take Action." If you see a Flood Warning for your area, deploy your flood protection immediately. A Flood Watch is your signal to prepare; a Flood Warning is your signal to act.
How do I know if my home is in a flood zone?
Use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to search your address and find your official flood zone designation. Keep in mind that even properties outside designated flood zones can experience flooding — FEMA reports that over 25% of flood insurance claims come from properties in low-to-moderate risk zones.
How often does the Flood Watch page update?
The page auto-refreshes every 60 seconds. You do not need to manually reload the page. When new alerts are issued or existing alerts expire, the dashboard updates automatically.
Can I use Flood Watch on my phone?
Yes. The Flood Watch page is fully responsive and works on any smartphone, tablet, or computer. We recommend bookmarking stormbag.co/pages/flood-watch on your phone's home screen for quick access during storm events.
What should I do when I see a Flood Warning for my county?
When a Flood Warning is issued for your area, take these steps immediately:
- Deploy StormBags or other flood barriers at all ground-level entry points — doors, garage doors, sliding glass doors, and crawl space vents.
- Move valuables, electronics, and important documents to higher floors.
- Shut off electrical and gas lines if flooding is imminent at your location.
- Follow all local evacuation orders. Do not drive through flooded roads — Turn Around, Don't Drown.
- Monitor the Flood Watch page or your local NWS office for updates on when the warning expires or conditions change.
Does StormBag sell flood protection products?
Yes. StormBag is the original sandless sandbag — FEMA and DHS approved, Made in USA. Each StormBag weighs 1 lb dry, absorbs approximately 4 gallons of water in 3–5 minutes, and expands to a 33-lb barrier with a 6-inch profile. No sand, no shovels required. Just add water. Shop StormBags here.
Be Ready Before the Water Rises
Flooding does not announce itself on your schedule. A storm system can drop enough rain to trigger flash flooding in under an hour. River crests from upstream storms can arrive days after the rain stops in your area. Coastal storm surge from a hurricane can push water miles inland.
The Flood Watch page at stormbag.co/pages/flood-watch gives you a free, real-time window into what the National Weather Service is reporting right now — for your state, your county, your community. Bookmark it. Check it when storms are in the forecast. Share it with your neighbors.
And when a watch turns into a warning, make sure you have the flood protection to act fast. StormBags deploy in minutes with no sand and no shovels. Just add water. FEMA and DHS approved. Made in the USA.
Data sourced from the National Weather Service API. The Flood Watch page is an informational tool and is not intended for life-safety decisions. Always follow official local guidance and evacuation orders from your local emergency management authorities.
