[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KTAE 072124
HLSTAE
FLZ018-019-028-029-034-118-127-128-134-GAZ147-148-159>161-080530-

Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 31
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL052021
524 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021

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

**ELSA MOVING INTO SOUTHERN GEORGIA ACCOMPANIED BY VERY HEAVY RAINS**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Coastal
      Jefferson, Coastal Wakulla, Inland Dixie, Inland Jefferson,
      Inland Taylor, and Lafayette
    - The Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning have been
      cancelled for Coastal Dixie and Coastal Taylor

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Brooks, Lanier,
      Lowndes, and Madison

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 80 miles north of Steinhatchee River or about 10 miles
      west-southwest of Valdosta
    - 30.8N 83.4W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement North or 10 degrees at 14 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Tropical Storm Elsa was located over south central Georgia late this
afternoon and will continue its northward movement before making a
turn to the north northeast later tonight. As the system has moved
inland, the Tropical Storm Warning was dropped for all but Madison,
Brooks, Lowndes and Lanier counties. In addition to those areas
still in the tropical storm warning, gusty winds will be possible
outside of that area and a wind advisory is in effect for portions
of south central Georgia.

Besides the areas of stronger winds, flooding is ongoing across
portions of south central Georgia and the flood threat will continue
into tonight.

Water levels remain elevated along the eastern coast of Apalachee
Bay with 1-2 feet of inundation still possible through this evening.

Tropical Storm Elsa will lift out of the region tonight with impacts
to the region diminishing. We will still need to monitor river
levels given some of the higher rainfall totals. A few rivers in
southwest Georgia and the Florida Big Bend are already in action
stage and it's possible a couple of them could reach minor flood
stage.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
south central Georgia. Remain well sheltered from hazardous
wind having additional limited impacts. If realized,
these impacts include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
Dixie and Taylor counties. Remain well away from locally hazardous
surge having additional limited impacts. If
realized, these impacts include:
    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
      immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
      farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
    - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
      with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
      surge water covers the road.
    - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
      in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
    - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
      and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle and western Apalachee Bay,
little to no impact is anticipated.

* 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 western Big Bend, southeast Alabama and the
Florida Panhandle. Remain well guarded against dangerous flood waters
having possible limited to significant impacts.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding south central Alabama.
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.

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 1130 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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