Forecasters: Tropical Storm Elsa Heading To New Hampshire

GRAY, MAINE — Forecasters are warning that Tropical Storm Elsa is quickly heading to the northeast and will hit New Hampshire.

The storm is moving through eastern North Carolina, as of 4 p.m. on Thursday, and will bring tropical storm conditions to the area starting on Friday. The storm will bring gusty winds, heavy rain, and isolated tornadoes across the region with flash flooding, too.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for 24 hours beginning at 8 p.m. on Thursday. It warns that areas of Merrimack, Hillsborough, and Rockingham counties should expect rainfall in excess of an inch per hour late Friday morning.

“Some areas may experience rainfall rates in excess of 1 inch per hour for more than one hour leading to the threat of flash flooding,” the alert stated.

A high surf advisory was also issued for the Seacoast from 5 p.m. on Friday to 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Expect large, breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet. Expect “dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion” due to the large waves. Those waves, the alert added, could present a danger to people on rocks above the water. Forecasters suggest staying away from rock outcrops along the shoreline exposed to ocean waves as waves can easily sweep people into the cold ocean water.

“Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions,” the alert stated.

Most of NH is under a flood watch until Friday evening. During a flood stay indoors and move to higher ground. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Turn around, don't drown! #ReadyNH #BeSafe #BePrepared #TurnAroundDontDrown #TSElsa #TropicalStormElsa #Elsa pic.twitter.com/CKjc5OMvyd
— NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management (@NH_HSEM) July 8, 2021

AccuWeather.com issued this report on Thursday warning of 2 to 4 inches of rain during the storm, wind gusts of up to 60 mph, possibly to 70 mph, a storm surge along the coast of one to three feet.

AccuWeather.com timeline has the storm hitting the state around 7 a.m. on Friday.

The latest weather conditions can be found on the front page of every Patch.com site in the United States including the 12 New Hampshire Patch news and community websites. Local weather reports for New Hampshire are posted on Sundays and Thursdays. Alerts are published when needed.

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