Tropical Storm Elsa Update

[Teresa]

Walton County Emergency Management
Thursday July 1

**CURRENT SITUATION**

PTC #5 has become better organized overnight and has now been designated Tropical Storm Elsa.

The center of Elsa is located about 780 miles ESE of the Windward Islands, or about 2,250 miles southeast of Miami, FL.

Elsa is moving to the west at 25 mph, and a turn toward the west-northwest is expected over the next several days. An eventual northward turn is expected late this weekend into early next week.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph and gradual strengthening is forecast. The system could be near hurricane strength in the Caribbean, especially if it remains south of Hispaniola and Cuba.

There is SIGNIFICANT uncertainty in the track forecast beyond 3 days. Models split considerably by the time Elsa makes it to Hispaniola. However, this system should continue to be closely monitored for impacts to Florida.

**WALTON COUNTY ACTIONS**

Walton County Emergency Management is closely monitoring this system and will send any relevant updates. Please monitor email for updates.

The good news: no effects are expected for the Panhandle through the holiday weekend. Happy Independence Day!

 

[Teresa]

National Weather Service Tallahassee Florida
Friday morning update
July 2

7/2/21, 830am ET: Elsa is a Hurricane with max winds of 75 mph. Elsa will move rapidly west-northwestward through the eastern Caribbean Sea over the next few days. While it's still too soon to determine impacts to the NE Gulf, you should review your hurricane plans and kits!

 

[Jim Tucker]

In case you haven't been watching, as of now the path puts Elsa well to our east and being on the west side of a storm is the safer side so we should have little impact but stay tuned!