Local Statement – North Florida

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

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