Tropical Storm Warning Issued For 8 MD Counties Ahead Of Elsa

MARYLAND — Eight Maryland counties are now under a tropical storm warning as Tropical Storm Elsa heads toward the MidAtlantic, where it is expected to drop rain on Maryland's Chesapeake Bay region. The National Weather Service upgraded a tropical storm watch for the Ocean City area to a larger warning area late Wednesday night.

The 11 p.m. storm update by the National Hurricane Center said tropical storm warnings have been posted for much of the East Coast. The range of the warning runs from Little River Inlet, South Carolina, to Great Egg Inlet, New Jersey, and most points in between. The Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach and the tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island are included in the warning.

The tropical storm warning covers Queen Anne's, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, St. Marys and Worcester counties, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.

After making landfall in Florida Wednesday morning, Elsa, the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, will travel along the East Coast toward southeastern Virginia and Maryland.

Rainfall of 1 to 3 inches with isolated totals up to 5 inches are possible in Maryland Thursday into Friday. This could lead to limited flash and urban flooding, the NWS said.

Forecasters believe Elsa will weaken to a tropical depression as it reaches Maryland and Virginia. The storm could bring heavy rain, gusty winds, and the possibility of isolated tornadoes.

"Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible," the Weather Service said. "Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding."

At 11 p.m. ET Wednesday, Elsa was located about 150 miles west-southwest of Charleston, South Carolina, and 590 miles southwest of Ocean City, Maryland. The storm had winds of 45 mph and was moving northeast at 16 mph.

The Town of Ocean City urged residents to watch for storm updates on the following outlets:

• City Wide Emergency Alerts: Citizens can sign up for emergency alerts by visiting: http://oceancitymd.gov/enews and subscribing to “City Wide Emergency Alerts.”
• Town of Ocean City Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TownOfOceanCity
• Town of Ocean City Twitter: @townofoceancity
• Town of Ocean City website: www.oceancitymd.gov/knowyourzone
• FM Advisory Radio Station – 99.5
• Town of Ocean City Access Channels 4 & 15

Residents are encouraged to Know Your Zone and Division and be prepared for any impact the storm may have on Ocean City. To begin preparing, citizens should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. For more information about storm preparedness, visit: http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area along the mid-Atlantic coast by
Thursday afternoon. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states by Friday, according to the NHC.

Forecasters said the storm is expected to slowly weaken through Thursday as Elsa moves over land, and some re-strengthening is possible on Friday while the system moves close
to the northeastern United States. Elsa is forecast to become a post-tropical cyclone late Friday.

Rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is forecast in the Ocean City area with some areas receiving more.

Tropical storm force wind gusts are expected to develop along or near coastal portions of southeast Maryland Thursday evening. This could lead to some downed trees and scattered power outages.

The latest forecast said the Eastern Shore may have 20-30 mph winds with gusts up to 35 mph. Forecasters urged residents to prepare before the wind becomes hazardous.

Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes is possible. Unsecured lightweight objects may be blown about and large tree limbs broken off.

Some road signs will sustain damage and debris is possible on roads.

So far, weather experts have not warned about possible storm surge.

"There is little to no threat of storm surge flooding," the NWS said. "Rough surf, coastal erosion, and life-threatening rip currents are possible."

Additionally, a few tornadoes will be possible Thursday into Thursday night across southeast Maryland, which could lead to locally enhanced damage.

Dangerous marine conditions are expected to develop Thursday evening into Friday morning with strong winds and seas building to 6 to 8 feet.

The storm is expected to clear the region Friday morning as it moves into Delaware and heads north.