Tropical Storm Elsa Carves Treacherous Path Through Florida

FLORIDA — Heavy winds and rain slammed central Florida as Tropical Storm Elsa passed by Tuesday, July 6. As the storm continued to track north, the Tampa Bay area was fortunately spared any major structural damage.

According to The Associated Press, at least one person died in the wake of the storm's path. This came shortly after the horrific collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside claimed dozens of lives on June 24. The storm only further complicated search efforts at the site, as crews were held back from the rubble due to the dangerous conditions.

With more than 7 inches of rain was recorded at a weather station near Gainesville, the threat of flooding loomed over the Carolinas. Even though Elsa's winds weakened to 40 mph (65 kph), the storm dropped torrential rains as it made its way through South Carolina early Thursday, reported the National Hurricane Center. Forecasts call for the storm to move over North Carolina later in the day, pass near the eastern mid-Atlantic states by Thursday night and move near or over the northeastern United States on Frida.

See photos below showing the aftermath left by Tropical Storm Elsa's path so far:

A jogger makes his way along Bayshore Blvd., in Tampa, Florida, as a wave breaks over a seawall, during the aftermath of Tropical Storm Elsa Wednesday, July 7, 2021.

The Tampa Bay area was spared major damage as Elsa stayed off shore as it passed by.

Pedestrians dash across the intersection of Greene and Duval streets as heavy winds and rain associated with Tropical Storm Elsa passes Key West, Florida, on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.

The weather was getting worse in southern Florida on Tuesday morning as Tropical Storm Elsa began lashing the Florida Keys, complicating the search for survivors in the condo collapse and prompting a hurricane watch for the peninsula's upper Gulf Coast.

A cyclist makes his way long Bay Pines Boulevard the morning after Hurricane Elsa moved over the Tampa Bay Area, July 7, 2021 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Luis Ernesto catches a small wave while surfing along Pass-a-Grille Beach on July 7, 2021 in St. Pete Beach, Florida, on the morning after Tropical Storm Elsa moved over the Tampa Bay Area.

A couple of signs hang loose on their post after Hurricane Elsa moved over the Tampa Bay Area on Wednesday in Pinellas Park, Florida.

About 250 electrical utility trucks are lined up at Duke Energy's staging location in The Villages of Sumter County on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.

Elsa may hit central Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday, with possible localized flooding. Duke Energy staged a total of about 500 trucks at the location, and they will be deployed following Elsa to repair damage to electrical lines and poles.

Shawn Frazier, 61, reinforces tarps over his Tampa home's roof ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.

Frazier said there was some leaking he caught during a recent rainy day.

Beach walkers walk along the sand on Pass-a-Grille the morning after Tropical Storm Elsa moved over the Tampa Bay Area, Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in St. Pete Beach, Florida.

A man treads water and awaits rescue crews approximately 32 miles southeast of Key West, Florida, on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.

The U.S. Coast Guard and a good Samaritan rescued 13 people after their boat capsized off of Key West as Tropical Storm Elsa approached.

The Coast Guard Cutter Thetis’ crew members deploy the cutter’s small boat to rescue passengers.

Crew members aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Thetis provide medical attention to the people rescued from the capsized boat.

Cranes cross the road during a rainstorm from Tropical Storm Elsa, Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Westchase, Florida.

Michael Ciarleglio with the city of Pinellas Park, cleans up a few tree branches while working the morning after Hurricane Elsa moved over the Tampa Bay Area, Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Pinellas Park, Florida.

Palm leaves lay on the ground following heavy rain and wind from Tropical Storm Elsa, seen here on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Westchase, Florida.

Fallen trees block Front Street in Valrico, Florida on July 7, 2021.

Tropical Storm Elsa continued to track north after dropping heavy rain in the Tampa Bay area.

AP News contributed to this post.