[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS81 KPHI 080930
HLSPHI
DEZ003-004-MDZ015-019-020-NJZ013-014-020-022>027-082130-

Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 33
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ  AL052021
530 AM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021

This product covers New Jersey...Delaware...southeastern Pennsylvania
and the Eastern Shore of Maryland

**Elsa is Expected to Impact Portions of southern Delaware and eastern
 New Jersey late Thursday into Friday morning**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Atlantic, Coastal Atlantic, Coastal Ocean, Eastern
      Monmouth, Ocean, Southeastern Burlington, and Western Monmouth

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Atlantic, Atlantic
      Coastal Cape May, Cape May, Caroline, Coastal Atlantic, Coastal
      Ocean, Delaware Beaches, Eastern Monmouth, Inland Sussex,
      Ocean, Queen Annes, Southeastern Burlington, Talbot, and
      Western Monmouth

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 560 miles southwest of Atlantic City NJ or about 510
      miles southwest of Dover DE
    - 33.4N 81.3W
    - Storm Intensity 40 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 35 degrees at 18 mph

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

Tropical Storm Elsa is continuing to track northeast across the
Carolinas this morning. Elsa is forecast to move over southern Delaware
and eastern New Jersey late Thursday night into Friday morning. Elsa
will then continue to accelerate and move northeast, away from New
Jersey, late Friday morning.

The main threats with this system are heavy rainfall resulting in
flash flooding, the potential for river flooding, and tropical storm
force winds, especially near the coast. Dangerous marine conditions
will develop over the Atlantic Waters and the lower Delaware Bay
including strong winds, rough seas, and dangerous rip currents.
Additionally, a few tornadoes may be be possible for eastern New
Jersey and southeastern Delaware which could lead to locally enhanced
damage.

Two to four inches of rainfall are forecast Thursday afternoon into
Friday morning, with locally higher amounts up to six inches possible.
Heavy rainfall will result in a threat of flash flooding. Dangerous
marine conditions are also expected to develop along the Delaware Bay
waters south of Slaughter Beach and along the Atlantic Coastal Waters
for all of Delaware and up towards Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Tropical
Storm force winds will be most likely across the waters with seas
building to six to nine feet. Dangerous rip currents will likely occur
along the ocean beaches of Delaware and New Jersey.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across northern New Jersey. Potential 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, canals, and ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas, destructive runoff
      may run quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to
      rockslides and mudslides. 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.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across central and southern New Jersey, Delaware,
southeastern Pennsylvania, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
coastal areas of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, coastal Sussex
Delaware, and coastal Cape May County in NJ. Potential 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.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
eastern New Jersey and southeastern Delaware. Potential 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 NEW JERSEY...DELAWARE...SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
AND NORTHEAST MARYLAND, little to no impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.

If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible.
Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges
will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather
forecast before departing and drive with caution.

If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter
rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have
pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit.

Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.

Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles
can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.

It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an
emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from local authorities.

Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of
strong winds or flooding.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.


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

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

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Mount Holly NJ around 11 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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