Storm flags fly again

The U.S. Coast Guard has re-established the Coastal Warning Display program (the program was discontinued in 1989) at selected small boat stations throughout the country to warn mariners of approaching severe weather conditions, which include small craft advisories, gale warnings, storm warnings and hurricane warnings. The Coast Guard has participated in the National Weather Service’s official Coastal Warning program for more than 100 years. The program’s re-establishment highlights the Coast Guard’s commitment to life saving and “ … visually communicates that citizens should take personal responsibility for individual safety in the face of an approaching storm.

The familiar daytime signals of red burgees and square flags designate the following:
Small Craft Advisory: 18 to 33 knots — single red burgee
Gale Warning: 34 to 47 knots — double red burgee
Storm Warning: 55 to 73 knots — square red flag with black square in the center
Hurricane Warning: more than 74 knots — double-square flags with black square in the center
At night lights may be used to designate conditions as follows:
Small Craft Advisory: 18 to 33 knots — red over white
Gale Warning: 34 to 47 knots — white over red
Storm Warning: 55 to 73 knots — red over red
Hurricane Warning: more than 74 knots — red over white over red
Mariners and residents of coastal communities are urged to tune to National Weather Service radio broadcasts for the latest information when they observe a flag hoisted as part of this program.