[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KTAE 071544
HLSTAE
FLZ018-019-028-029-034-118-127-128-134-GAZ147-148-159>161-072345-

Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 30
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL052021
1144 AM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021

This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia

**CENTER OF ELSA MAKING LANDFALL IN TAYLOR COUNTY ALONG THE NORTH
FLORIDA GULF COAST**


NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm
      Warning has been issued for Coastal Dixie
    - The Storm Surge Watch has been cancelled for Coastal Jefferson
      and Coastal Wakulla

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Brooks, Coastal
      Jefferson, Coastal Wakulla, Inland Dixie, Inland Jefferson,
      Inland Taylor, Lafayette, Lanier, Lowndes, and Madison
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Coastal Dixie and Coastal Taylor

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 20 miles northwest of Steinhatchee River or about 50
      miles north-northwest of Suwannee River
    - 29.9N 83.6W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 14 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Tropical Storm Elsa is making landfall in Taylor County this morning
and will continue it's northward movement through the Florida Big
Bend and into south central Georgia through the afternoon. With Elsa
making landfall, the Hurricane Warning for coastal Dixie County was
dropped and a Tropical Storm Warning is now in place. The strongest
winds noted on radar this morning stretched from Lafayette to Taylor
to Madison Counties and will continue to translate northward through
the afternoon. So far, the strongest gust recorded was at Horseshoe
Beach where a gust of 71 mph was measured. For those outside of the
Tropical Storm Warning, mainly from Cook and Berrien county
northward, gusty winds are still expected and a wind advisory may be
needed for those counties due to some stronger wind gusts.

The greatest concern storm surge wise remains along and east of the
track, mainly for Dixie County where 2-4 feet of storm surge
inundation is possible. Further east, storm surge values have
decreased slightly and the Storm Surge Watch was dropped for the
Ochlockonee River to the Aucilla River.

The greatest threat rainfall wise remains across the southeast Big
Bend and the far south central Georgia counties, along and east of
the track. Two to four inches of rain has already fallen in Dixie
and Taylor counties and isolated areas could see storm total
rainfall amounts of six inches.


POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
the southeast Big Bend. Remain well sheltered from dangerous
wind having possible significant impacts. If
realized, these impacts include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the remainder of the Big Bend and south central Georgia.
Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible
limited impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal Dixie County. Remain well away from life-threatening surge
having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across the remainder of eastern Apalachee Bay. Remain well away from
locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the southeast Big Bend and south central Georgia. Remain well guarded
against life-threatening flood waters having additional extensive impacts.
If realized, these impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become
      dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become
      stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
      Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
      underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
      Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the remainder of the Big Bend and southwest Georgia. Remain well
guarded against dangerous flood waters having possible limited to
significant impacts.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across the SE
Big Bend. Remain well braced against a tornado event having possible
limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
      and communications disruptions.
    - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
      toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
      large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
      knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats
      pulled from moorings.

Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend,
southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is
anticipated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all clear
to return.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.


* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Tallahassee FL around 530 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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