Tropical Storm Warning Issued For Tampa Bay As TS Elsa Nears

TAMPA BAY, FL — A tropical storm warning has been issued for the west coast of Florida to the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay, as Tropical Storm Elsa moves closer to Florida.

The National Hurricane Center said the threat from Tropical Storm Elsa continues to increase across West Central and Southwest Florida, particularly along the coastline.

As Elsa moves northward just offshore, there's a threat of tropical storm-force winds, localized flash flooding, storm surge, hazardous marine conditions and possibly tornadoes.

Residents should prepare for dangerous winds across coastal sections of west central and southwest Florida, causing damage to mobile homes, especially if they are not anchored, roofing and siding materials, porches, awnings, carports and sheds.

Residents should also expect damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, piers and small boats that break away from their moorings.

Elsa is currently about 490 miles south-southeast of the mouth of Tampa Bay and about 410 miles south-southeast of Ft. Myers and is producing tropical storm-force winds of 65 mph.

As of the 1 p.m. advisory, the National Hurricane Center said Elsa is moving toward the northwest at about 14 mph. This movement is expected to continue throughout the day, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest on Tuesday.

Tropical storm conditions are possible in the upper Florida Keys by Monday night and in the Florida Big Bend area beginning Tuesday night.

Stay tuned to Patch for the latest updates on Tropical Storm Elsa

On the forecast track, Elsa is expected to move across central and western Cuba later today and pass near the Florida Keys early Tuesday. Elsa is then expected to move near or over portions of west Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A tropical storm watch has been extended to all of Pasco County along with Hernando, Levy, Citrus and Sumter counties.

A storm surge watch is in effect for Pinellas County and the coasts of Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, Levy, Citrus, Pasco and Hernando counties.

Warnings are issued 24 hours before a storm is expected to impact an area. A watch is issued 48 hours in advance.

The hurricane center said west central and southwest Florida residents should also prepare for flooding that may prompt several evacuations and rescues. The center predicts Elsa will produce 2 to 4 inches of rain with as much as 6 inches in some areas.

The heavy rains may cause rivers, creeks, canals and small streams to overflow, topple root-sodden trees and weaken the foundations of some structures.

Streets and parking lots may flood, creating hazardous driving conditions, and there may be some road and bridge closures.

The tropical storm could also produce 2 to 4 feet of storm surge from Bonita Beach to the Ochlockonee River, including Tampa Bay.

Ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 15 counties:

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

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
• Tropical Storm Watch In Effect For Keys As Hurricane Elsa Nears
• State Of Emergency Declared For 15 Counties Ahead Of TS Elsa
• Tampa Bay Under Tropical Storm Watch As TS Elsa Moves Closer