Tropical Storm Elsa Could Bring 3-5 Feet Of Surge To Gulf Coast

ACROSS FLORIDA — A storm surge warning has been issued for the west coast of Florida for Tuesday night and Wednesday due to the possibility of life-threatening storm surges from Tropical Storm Elsa.

In its 5 p.m. Monday public advisory, the National Hurricane Center extended the storm surge warning from Bonita Beach north to the Aucilla River in Brooks County, Georgia, including Tampa Bay.

Storm surge from Englewood to the Aucilla River, including Tampa Bay, is estimated to rise from 3 to 5 feet above high tide.

A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline during the next 36 hours.

"This is a life-threatening situation," said the hurricane center. "Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials."

See Patch for updates on Tropical Storm Elsa.

Tropical Storm Elsa was moving over western Cuba, about 130 miles from Key West. Elsa was expected to continue to move over western Cuba for the next few hours, move into the Florida Straits on Monday evening and pass near the Florida Keys early Tuesday. Elsa was then forecast to move near or over portions of the west coast of Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The storm's maximum sustained winds were 50 mph as it moved northwest at about 14 mph. Storm-force winds extend 70 miles from the storm's center.

This motion is expected to continue Monday night, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest on Tuesday and then a turn north on Tuesday night. A north-northeastward motion is expected to begin on Wednesday.

Some restrengthening is forecast after Elsa moves over the Gulf of Mexico on Monday night and Tuesday.

In addition to the storm surge warning, the National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm warning along the state's west coast to the Ochlockonee River in Wakulla County.

The tropical storm watch for the Florida Keys north of Craig Key and Florida Bay has been discontinued.

In addition to the storm surge, Elsa is forecast to bring about 3 to 5 inches of rain to the west coast with some areas receiving as much as 8 inches through Wednesday. This could cause flash and urban flooding.

See related stories:

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• Upgraded To Hurricane Elsa Friday, All Florida Lies In Path
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• 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