Hurricane-Force Winds As Elsa Moves Past Tampa Area Overnight

Updated at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday

TAMPA BAY, FL — A hurricane warning has been issued for Tampa as winds from Tropical Storm Elsa increase overnight to a Category 1 hurricane before the storm makes landfall sometime Wednesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami's 11 p.m. advisory. But the Tampa/St. Petersburg area will see storm surge and was buffeted by Elsa's winds starting Tuesday night.

The Tampa region is also under a storm surge warning, a flood watch until 2 p.m. Wednesday and a tornado watch until 8 a.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service warned heavy rains could spur flooding that requires evacuations.

At 11 p.m. ET Tuesday, the center of Tropical Storm Elsa was located about 65 miles southwest of Tampa, moving toward the north near 14 mph. The National Hurricane Center said the storm should turn toward the north-northeast on Wednesday, and increase its speed to the northeastby late Thursday.

Elsa will move near or over portions of the west coast of Florida later tonight and early Wednesday morning before it makes landfall along the north Florida Gulf coast by late Wednesday morning.

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts at 11 p.m. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles. Weakening will begin after Elsa moves inland by late Wednesday morning.

It appears the storm will make landfall between 8 and 9 a.m. Wednesday along Florida's Nature Coast or in the Big Bend area, Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a 5:30 p.m. Tuesday news conference.

The Nature Coast includes eight counties that abut the Gulf of Mexico including Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties.

These watches and warning were in place Tuesday night:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to the Aucilla River, including Tampa Bay.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Egmont Key to the Steinhatchee River in Florida.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

• West coast of Florida from Chokoloskee to south of Egmont Key
• West coast of Florida north of Steinhatchee River to Ochlockonee River
• Mouth of St. Mary's River, Georgia, to Little River Inlet, South Carolina

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for west of the Aucilla River to the Ochlockonee River, Florida.

• North of Little River Inlet, South Carolina to Duck, North Carolina
• Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds

Related:

• Tropical Storm Elsa: How To Prepare For Power Outages
• TS Elsa Causes Flight Cancellations At St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE)
• Coast Guard Declares Port Condition Zulu For Port Of Tampa
• Feeding Tampa Bay Preparing To Provide Food, Water After Storm

• Englewood, FL to Aucilla River including Tampa Bay: 3 to 5 feet
• Bonita Beach, FL to Englewood, FL including Charlotte Harbor: to 4 feet
• Aucilla River to Ochlockonee River: 2 to 4 feet
• Flamingo, FL to Bonita Beach, FL: 1 to 3 feet
• Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass: 1 to 2 feet
• Mouth of St. Mary's River to South Santee River, SC:1 to 2 feet

Elsa is expected to produce these rainfall amounts in Florida:

Across the Florida Keys into southwest and western portions of the Florida Peninsula: 3 to 6 inches with localized maximum totals up to 9 inches through Wednesday, which may result in considerable flash and urban flooding, along with minor to isolated moderate river flooding.

Across the rest of Florida: 2 to 4 inches with localized maximum totals up to 6 inches through Wednesday night, which may result in considerable isolated flash and urban flooding along with minor to isolated moderate river flooding.

Stay tuned to Patch for updates on Tropical Storm Elsa. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading from iTunes, or by visiting the Google Play store.

Weather forecasters expect the biggest impacts from Elsa to occur overnight in Tampa Bay.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis believes the biggest danger posed by the storm is storm surge.

Residents living on the coast should be prepared for life-threatening storm surge of 3 to 5 feet above high tide that could inundate homes and businesses. There may be major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes.

Tropical storm-force winds and storm surge could also damage marinas, docks, boardwalks and piers. Boats could break away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages.

All Gulf coast residents should expect rains of 2 to 4 inches throughout the night with some areas receiving up to 6 inches of rain. This will cause rivers, streams and canals to overflow. There may be flash floods and street flooding. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. Roads and bridges could wash out.

Flooding could prompt evacuations as flood waters inundate buildings. Some small structures may be washed away.

Emergency rescue crews will not be dispatched to rescue residents when winds are stronger than 40 mph, so those who become trapped in cars on flooded streets can't count on receiving help right away. Emergency officials urge residents to remain at home Tuesday night.

During Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, residents should prepare for dangerous winds that may damage roofing and siding materials, porches, awnings, carports and sheds.

Mobile homes may be damaged or overturned, especially if they aren't anchored.

Unsecured lightweight objects will become dangerous projectiles.

Large trees may snap or uproot and fences and roadway signs may be blown over.

Some roads may become impassable from large debris. Flooding could also close bridges, causeways and access routes.

Scattered power and communications outages may occur, especially in areas with above-ground lines as high winds and tornadoes knock trees onto power lines. Currently, only 1,500 customers have lost power, said DeSantis. He said about 7,000 power company employees are on call to restore power.

In anticipation of storm damage, President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida.

Additionally, DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 33 counties including Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lake, Lafayette, Madison, Marion, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Baker and Wakulla counties.

Related stories:

• Tropical Storm Elsa Could Bring 3-5 Feet Of Surge To Gulf Coast
• Tropical Storm Warning Issued For Tampa Bay As TS Elsa Nears
• State Of Emergency Declared For 15 Counties Ahead Of TS Elsa