State Of Emergency Declared For 15 Counties Ahead Of TS Elsa

FLORIDA — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 15 counties in the potential path of Tropical Storm Elsa.

The governor is urging Floridians in the southern part of the state to begin preparing for impacts as early as Monday, including heavy rain, flooding and potential storm surge.

By declaring a state of emergency, DeSantis is ensuring that state and local governments have ample time, resources and flexibility to prepare. The Florida Emergency Operations Center activated to a Level 2 Saturday and is coordinating with federal, state and local emergency management agencies.

Stay tuned to Patch for Tropical Storm Elsa updates.

“While we continue to provide resources to support the response at Surfside, impacts from Elsa will begin affecting the Florida Keys and portions of southern Florida as early as Monday," DeSantis said. "All Floridians in the potential path of this storm need to prepare for the risk of isolated tornadoes, storm surge, heavy rainfall and flash flooding.”

Full remarks on the state response and current status of Tropical Storm Elsa were delivered by Governer DeSantis at a press conference Saturday evening. Watch here.

The severity and track of Tropical Storm Elsa remains uncertain. Due to this uncertainty, DeSantis issued the state of emergency for the following 15 counties:

• Charlotte
• Citrus
• Collier
• DeSoto
• Hardee
• Hernando
• Hillsborough
• Lee
• Levy
• Manatee
• Miami-Dade
• Monroe
• Pasco
• Pinellas
• Sarasota

The National Hurricane Center in Miami has extended a tropical storm watch along the west coast of Florida from Flamingo north to the Anclote River as the now-downgraded Tropical Storm Elsa is forecast to move near or over portions of the west coast of Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Additionally, a storm surge watch has been issued for the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach north to the Suwannee River with estimates of storm surge ranging from 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels.

Meanwhile, the Florida Keys from Craig Key west to the Dry Tortugas is under a tropical storm warning.

See related stories:

• Upgraded To Hurricane Elsa Friday, All Florida Lies In Path
• Track Of Tropical Storm Elsa Could Impact Florida's West Coast
• Coast Guard Declares Port Condition Whiskey For Port Of Tampa
• Pinellas Officials Monitor Tropical Storm Elsa, Urge Preparation
• Pasco Opens Self-Serve Sandbag Sites Ahead Of Hurricane Elsa
• Tropical Storm Watch In Effect For Keys As Hurricane Elsa Nears
• Hillsborough To Offer Sandbags Monday For Storm Preparation
• Tampa To Offer Sandbags Monday For Storm Preparation