Hurricane Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 28
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL AL052021
1119 PM EDT Tue Jul 6 2021
This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia
**RAINBANDS FROM ELSA EXPANDING NORTHWARD ACROSS FLORIDA**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Tropical Storm Watch has been cancelled for Western Clay
and Western Duval
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baker, Bradford,
Brantley, Central Marion, Clinch, Coastal Camden, Coastal
Glynn, Eastern Alachua, Eastern Marion, 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 240 miles south-southwest of Jacksonville FL or about 140
miles south-southwest of Ocala FL
- 27.3N 83.2W
- Storm Intensity 75 mph
- Movement North or 360 degrees at 14 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Elsa will continue to track north near the Florida Gulf
Coast tonight, with landfall expected across the Florida Big Bend
around midday Wednesday. Elsa will then track north to northeast
across southeast Georgia through Wednesday evening. Outer rainbands
from Elsa will continue to increase across northeast Florida tonight,
expanding northward through Wednesday. Sustained tropical storm force
winds will arrive later tonight into early Wednesday morning for
counties along and west of Interstate 75 across northeast Florida,
then the envelop of sustained tropical storm force winds will progress
northeast across portions of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia
through Wednesday evening. The greatest widespread hazard from Elsa
will be the potential for flooding rainfall. Storm total rainfall
amounts of 3 to 5 inches with locally higher amounts up to 8 inches
are possible. The tornado threat will increase across northeast
Florida after sunrise Wednesday morning. Hazardous beach conditions
including frequent rip currents and rough surf will persist through
Wednesday evening.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.
Potential impacts include:
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and
ditches overflow.
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across along and west of I-75 in northeast Florida. 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 south and east of Highway 84
in southeast Georgia.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across portions of north central Florida. Potential impacts
include:
- The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or
uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across the rest of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia.
* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across coastal southeast Georgia. Potential impacts in this
area include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.
Elsewhere across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, little to
no impact is anticipated.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.
For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind,
falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move,
relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help
keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.
If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible.
Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges
will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather
forecast before departing and drive with caution.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!
If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.
* 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