Tues Late Night: NWS Updates Attractions Area Elsa Impacts. Don’t Panic.

Hurricane Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 28
National Weather Service Melbourne FL  AL052021
1138 PM EDT Tue Jul 6 2021

This product covers East Central Florida

**ELSA MOVING NORTHWARD JUST OFFSHORE THE TAMPA BAY AREA** 

**TROPICAL STORM WATCH CONTINUES FOR LAKE COUNTY**

**TORNADO WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FOR LAKE, VOLUSIA, SEMINOLE, ORANGE,
 OSCEOLA AND OKEECHOBEE COUNTIES UNTIL 8 AM**

**FLOOD WATCH FOR LAKE, VOLUSIA, SEMINOLE AND ORANGE COUNTIES**

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 130 miles southwest of Leesburg FL
    - 27.3N 83.2W
    - Storm Intensity 75 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 14 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Impacts from Hurricane Elsa will increase in coverage and intensity 
across east-central Florida overnight as outer rain bands spread 
northeast from western Florida and across east central Florida tonight 
through early Wednesday morning. Elsa will continue to moving north, 
and parallel to the Florida Gulf Coast, before making landfall near
Cedar Key Wednesday morning.

Wind gusts to tropical storm are expected in rain bands and squalls, 
and may reach 50 to 60 mph in the most intense squalls. 

A Tornado Watch is now in effect for Lake, Volusia, Seminole, Orange,
Osceola and Okeechobee Counties until 8 AM. Conditions will continue 
to become more favorable for tornadoes in Elsa's outer rain bands 
overnight through early Wednesday morning, mainly across the interior 
counties, and inland areas of Volusia County.

A Flood Watch continues 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 6 inches possible. Outside of the watch
area, additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected, with local 
amounts up to 4 inches. The highest totals are likely over and adjacent
to Lake County.

A Tropical Storm Watch continues for Lake County. This is where the 
highest potential exists for sustained winds near tropical storm force, 
up to 40 mph, mainly across the northwest portion of the county near
Leesburg, Lady Lake and The Villages. Strong wind gusts above tropical
storm force are most likely across this area as well.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are unfolding across East Central
Florida, especially over Lake, Volusia, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and
Okeechobee Counties, where a Tornado Watch is in effect. 

Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having
possible significant impacts. 

If realized, these 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.


* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are unfolding across across
east-central Florida, particularly Lake, Orange, Seminole, and Volusia
Counties, where a Flood Watch remains in effect. Remain well guarded 
against flood waters having possible significant impacts.

If realized, these 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:
Potential impacts from the main wind event will unfold, mainly across
Lake County. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible
impacts.

If realized, these 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
----------------------------------

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.

During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your 
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best 
foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose 
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and 
check-ins.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the 
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.

If a flood warning is issued for your area, be prepared to take action
to mitigate rising water near your property. Never drive into flooded 
areas!


* 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
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather 
Service in Melbourne FL around 6 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions 
warrant.

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