Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 24
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL AL052021
509 AM EDT Tue Jul 6 2021
This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia
**TROPICAL STORM WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT ACROSS INTERSTATE 75
CORRIDOR AND COASTAL SOUTHEAST GEORGIA**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Baker, Bradford,
Coastal Camden, Coastal Glynn, and Union
- The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
Warning for Central Marion, Gilchrist, Suwannee, Western
Alachua, and Western Marion
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Central Marion,
Gilchrist, Suwannee, Western Alachua, and Western Marion
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Baker, Bradford,
Coastal Camden, Coastal Glynn, Eastern Alachua, Eastern Marion,
Echols, Hamilton, Northern Columbia, Southern Columbia, and
Union
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 440 miles south of Jacksonville FL
- 24.1N 82.4W
- Storm Intensity 60 mph
- Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 12 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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Tropical Storm Elsa is forecast to track northward toward the west
coast of the Florida peninsula today and move into the northern
portions of the peninsula late tonight into Wednesday, weaken, and
then move northeastward through southeast Georgia Wednesday. Some
of Elsa impacts will begin to affect the region as early as this
afternoon and evening with rainbands moving up from the south. Gusty
winds of 40 to 50 mph will be possible ahead of Elsa in the showers
and thunderstorms today. Sustained tropical storm force winds will
arrive later tonight into early Wednesday morning for counties along
and west of Interstate 75. Heavy rainfall and saturated grounds will
enhance the flood risk over inland areas of northeast Florida and southeast
Georgia. Rainfall amounts near 2 to 4 inches with higher amounts to
6 inches are possible. An isolated tornado will be possible over
portions of northeast Florida tonight into Wednesday.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
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* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Potential
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.
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia.
* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across inland northeast Florida and southeast Georgia near the
Interstate 75 corridor and along the southeast Georgia coast. Potential
impacts in this area 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.
Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across the rest of northeast Florida and rest of inland southeast Georgia.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Potential 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
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* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.
If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to
move to safe shelter on higher ground.
When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.
Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are
unable to make personal preparations.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.
* 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
NEXT UPDATE
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Jacksonville FL around 11 AM, or sooner if conditions
warrant.