00:00Tropical rainstorm, tropical depression, tropical storm, hurricane, they can all bring dangerous weather, but they're not the same thing.
00:06First, a tropical rainstorm. It's a term AccuWeather uses to highlight something people often underestimate.
00:11The flooding and tornado threats that can continue even when a tropical system isn't a hurricane.
00:16In fact, some of the worst impacts from tropical systems come from water, not wind.
00:20Next, a tropical depression. This is the first official stage of a tropical cyclone, with sustained winds of 38 miles
00:26per hour or less.
00:26Once winds reach 39 miles per hour, it becomes a tropical storm.
00:30That's also when it gets a name. Think Tropical Storm Arthur or Bertha.
00:34Tropical storms have winds between 39 and 73 miles per hour.
00:38If those winds reach 74 miles per hour or higher, it's upgraded to a hurricane.
00:42But don't make the mistake of focusing only on wind.
00:44Whether it's a tropical rainstorm, tropical depression, tropical storm, or hurricane, flooding is often the deadliest threat.
00:50That's why even a tropical rainstorm can be life-threatening.
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