VA Weather: Elsa Spawns Tornado Warnings, Downpours In Tidewater

VIRGINIA — A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of southside and central Virginia as Tropical Storm Elsa moves into the state. Rainfall from 2 to 4 inches is predicted for Hampton Roads and central Virginia.

The National Weather Service has issued several tornado warnings and flood advisories for parts of southeastern Virginia as the storm heads to the north.

The storm will produce some rain and thunderstorms in Northern Virginia, with the strongest chances of precipitation from 8 p.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday.

A flash flood watch is in effect throughout Thursday evening over most of central and eastern Virginia, including the Richmond area. At most, some isolated areas along or east of the Interstate 95 corridor could pick up 5 inches of rain from the storm.

The storm should clear out of the Richmond and Northern Neck areas by late evening or just after midnight.

On Friday, Elsa is forecast to speed from the coastal Mid-Atlantic to Maine.

"We will continue to monitor the forecast and the potential impacts on the Commonwealth, working closely with local governments to support their needs," Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said in a statement.

Dominion Energy plans to have additional crews available to respond to the storm. Call 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) to report downed power lines.

Several Virginia State Parks closed Thursday morning due to anticipated high winds and potential flash flooding from Tropical Storm Elsa: False Cape in Virginia Beach; First Landing in Virginia Beach; Kiptopeke in Northampton County; Belle Isle in Lancaster County; Machicomoco in Gloucester County; and Westmoreland in Westmoreland County.

"Heavy rainfall from the Mid-Atlantic into New England Thursday and Friday could lead to considerable flash and urban flooding," the National Hurricane Center said Thursday.

Moderate to heavy rainfall over a period of a few hours may cause streams and creeks to quickly rise out of their banks, potentially leading to instances of flash flooding, experts warned.

After making landfall in Florida Wednesday morning, Elsa, the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, headed up the East Coast toward southeastern Virginia.