Storm Flag Program Reestablished

Posted by Alan Sorum Oct 20, 2007

The U.S. Coast Guard has taken the steps necessary to reestablish the time honored storm warning flag system at their station It was discontinued for budgetary causes by the service in 1989. Mariners have historically depended on warning flags displayed at their harbors and Coast Guard Stations to warn of approaching ocean storm systems. Flag shapes warn of small boat advisories, gales, storms and hurricanes as described by the Beaufort Wind Force Scale. Upon seeing a warning flag displayed, mariners know to listen in on the National Weather Service broadcast for their region.

Coast Guard Chief of Public Affairs, says “Storm flags are a nautical tradition for mariners and the Coast Guard is pleased to bring back this part of our maritime heritage. However, the real message is that as the flags indicate changing weather from gale to storm to hurricane conditions, everyone, not just mariners, must tune in to National Weather Service broadcasts and start thinking what they will do to prepare for the worst. The power of nature cannot be underestimated. These nautical flags are intended to visually communicate to the American public the lesson of past hurricanes to take personal responsibility for individual safety in the face of an approaching storm.”