The National Weather Service Office which covers the Attractions Area has released a comprehensive overview of the expected impacts to Central Florida as Elsa makes her way through the peninsula later tonight and into tomorrow. Though the center of the storm is expected to pass well to the north-northwest of the Attractions, the theme park area is considered to be on the “dirty” side of the storm, which brings an increased risk of tornadoes and gusty winds. The full NWS advisory is posted below, but we’ve bolded some areas of particular interest in case you don’t have time to read it all.
Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 25
National Weather Service Melbourne FL AL052021
1128 AM EDT Tue Jul 6 2021
This product covers East Central Florida
**CONDITIONS DETERIORATE THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT AS RAIN BANDS FROM
TROPICAL STORM ELSA IMPACT THE AREA**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Northern Lake and
Southern Lake
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 280 miles south-southwest of Leesburg FL
- 24.9N 82.8W
- Storm Intensity 60 mph
- Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 10 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
The strongest impacts from Tropical Storm Elsa will begin to be felt
across east-central Florida from late this afternoon through early
Wednesday morning as the system moves northward and parallel to the
Florida west coast.
Stronger squalls from Elsa's outer rain bands will overspread the
Treasure Coast and Lake Okeechobee region by early afternoon. Rain
bands will increase in coverage and intensity as they spread north
across all of east central through this evening and overnight into
early Wednesday morning. Winds will gust to tropical storm force in
most rain bands and squalls, and 50 to 60 mph in the most intense
squalls.
Conditions will also become increasingly favorable for tornadoes to
develop within rain bands over the entire Florida peninsula starting
later today and continuing into Wednesday morning. The greatest threat
for tornadoes to develop across east-central Florida will be from
sunset this evening to a few hours after sunrise Wednesday. A Tornado
Watch will likely be issued later today.
A Flood Watch has been issued for Lake, Seminole, Orange and inland
Volusia Counties. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected in the
watch area, with isolated amounts to around 6 inches. Outside of the
watch area, rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected, with local amounts
to around 4 inches. The highest totals are expected closest to the
track of Elsa's center, across and adjacent to Lake County.
A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Lake County, where the
highest potential exists for sustained tropical storm force winds up
to 40 mph. Stronger wind gusts well above tropical storm force are
most likely across this area as well.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across east-central Florida, particularly Lake, Orange,
Seminole, and Volusia Counties, where a Flood Watch has been issued.
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.
* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across all of east-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.
* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
East Central Florida. Potential impacts include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
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 in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, plan to move to safe shelter.
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.
There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways
to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.
* 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 Melbourne FL around 530 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
$$
Rodriguez