Tropical Storm Elsa Prepares to Make Landfall on Florida, No Threat to Brevard County
By Space Coast Daily // July 6, 2021
Maximum sustained winds have registered 60 mph
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Tropical Storm Elsa is preparing to make landfall on Florida on Tuesday that includes some strengthening in the forecast through tonight.
The system is currently located 65 miles west-northwest of Key West.
National Hurricane Center warns Gulf side residents and guests that Elsa could be near hurricane strength before it makes landfall in Florida. Officials are urging people to take Elsa seriously for those in the projected path.
Maximum sustained winds have registered 60 mph, according to the report.
According to the National Weather Service, Elsa is moving toward the north-northwest near 10 mph and a generally northward motion is expected today and tonight. A turn toward the north-northeast is expected on Wednesday, followed by a faster northeastward by late Thursday.
Elsa will continue to pass near the Florida Keys this morning, and move near or over portions of the west coast of Florida later today through tonight.
On Wednesday morning, Elsa is forecast to make landfall along the north Florida Gulf coast and then move across the southeastern United States through Thursday.
One of the main concerns with Elsa is the storm surge that will accompany Elsa.
The combination of a storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.
The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide.
Englewood to Aucilla River (including Tampa Bay) …3 to 5 ft
Bonita Beach to Englewood including Charlotte Harbor…2 to 4 ft
Aucilla River to Ochlockonee River…2 to 4 ft
Flamingo to Bonita Beach…1 to 3 ft
Craig Key to Dry Tortugas…1 to 2 ft
Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass…1 to 2 ft
Mouth of St. Marys River to South Santee River, SC…1 to 2 ft
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the West coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to the Aucilla River, including Tampa Bay.
Some isolated areas in Florida could see as much as 6 inches of rain.
Some areas in Brevard County could see as much as 1-2 inches of rain, if any on Tuesday and/or Wednesday.
