BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Like most of South Florida, Broward County Emergency Management is monitoring the current situation with an unnamed tropical disturbance in the northwest Caribbean Sea. The disturbance has the potential to strengthen into Tropical Storm Alex, which would be the first named storm of the 2022 Atlantic Season.

Late Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service placed Broward County under a Tropical Storm Watch and Coastal Broward under a Flood Watch, due to the potential impacts of the tropical cyclone.

 A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of 39-73 miles per hour or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding and/or river flooding. A watch does not mean that tropical storm conditions will occur; it only means that these conditions are possible. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean that flooding will occur, but it is possible.

 Although there is no imminent threat to Broward County, there is potential for rapid change in conditions. Residents are reminded that June 1 was the start of the 2022 Hurricane Season, and that the time to prepare is early in the season. The 2022 State Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is running now through June 10. Many items needed to prepare in the event of an adverse event can be purchased tax free. See of a full list of tax-exempt items.

The Emergency Operations Center remains at a Level 3 activation, which means it is assessing and monitoring the developing situation. Residents are encouraged to monitor media for up-to-the-minute information and public safety advisories, follow Broward County on Twitter.com/ReadyBroward, like us on Facebook.com/BrowardEMD and visit Broward.org/hurricane for more information and an extensive A-Z Guide to preparedness. Have a family plan to be resilient, ready and safe during this hurricane season, which lasts through November 30.