Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 30 National Weather Service Jacksonville FL AL052021 1116 AM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021 This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia **CENTER OF ELSA MAKING LANDFALL IN TAYLOR COUNTY ALONG THE NORTH FLORIDA GULF COAST** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Central Marion and Eastern Marion * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baker, Bradford, Brantley, Clinch, Coastal Camden, Coastal Glynn, Eastern Alachua, Echols, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Inland Camden, Inland Glynn, Inland Nassau, Northeastern Charlton, Northern Columbia, Northern Ware, Pierce, Southern Columbia, Southern Ware, Suwannee, Union, Wayne, Western Alachua, Western Charlton, and Western Marion * STORM INFORMATION: - About 130 miles west-southwest of Jacksonville FL or about 120 miles southwest of Waycross GA - 29.9N 83.6W - Storm Intensity 65 mph - Movement North or 360 degrees at 14 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Elsa will continue to track inland across the Suwanee Valley and across southeast Georgia through this evening. Rainbands from Elsa will continue to increase across southeast Georgia through the afternoon. Sustained tropical storm force winds will overspread portions of the Suwannee River Valley focused over counties along and west of Interstate 75 across northeast Florida, then the envelope of tropical storm force winds will progress northeast across portions of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia through this evening. The greatest widespread hazard from Elsa will be the potential for flooding rainfall. Storm total rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches with locally higher amounts up to 9 inches are possible. The tornado threat will continue across northeast Florida this morning and expand across portions of southeast Georgia through the day. Hazardous beach conditions including frequent rip currents and rough surf will persist through Wednesday evening. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across portions of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Remain well guarded against dangerous flood waters having possible limited to significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across portions of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Remain well braced against a tornado event having additional limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all clear to return. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery- powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org