July 8, 2021

Tropical Storm Elsa has had minimal impacts on critical infrastructure since making landfall along Florida’s northern Gulf Coast yesterday morning. Fewer than 30,000 customers were left without power in Florida as of yesterday, a number that has fallen to just above 2,000 as of this morning. Major transportation corridors and evacuation routes have remained open although there have been some impacts to local roads. WaterISAC has not received any reports of significant impacts to water and wastewater utilities.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) advises the flooding threat from heavy rainfall remains for areas along the East Coast in Elsa’s path, with the potential for limited flash and urban flooding across North Carolina and Virginia today and considerable flash and urban flooding from the Mid-Atlantic to New England through Friday. Additionally, a few tornadoes are possible across the eastern Carolinas into southeast Virginia through this afternoon. The threat for a tornado or two may continue tonight and Friday morning across coastal portions of the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England. Access the forecasts at the NHC.

WaterISAC has also posted below FEMA's Daily Operations Briefing, which includes additional forecasts and outlooks, current infrastructure impacts, and a summary of preparations at the federal, state, and local levels.

July 7, 2021

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports Tropical Storm Elsa made landfall late this morning in Taylor County along Florida's northern Gulf Coast. It adds that as Elsa moves along the western and northern Florida Peninsula today, heavy rainfall may result in considerable flash, urban, and isolated moderate river flooding. On the forecast track, Elsa should then move across the southeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S. through Thursday, and the NHC reports southeast Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and southeastern Virginia may experience isolated flash and urban flooding. Additionally, the NHC states heavy rainfall across the Northeast and New England Thursday and Friday could lead to isolated flash and urban flooding. In addition to heavy rainfall and floods, Elsa is also bringing the threats of high winds, storm surge, and tornadoes. The NHC reports a few tornadoes are possible today and tonight across northern Florida and southeastern Georgia into eastern South Carolina. The tornado threat should shift to the eastern Carolinas and far southeast Virginia on Thursday. Access the forecasts at the NHC.

WaterISAC has also posted below FEMA's Daily Operations Briefing, which includes additional forecasts and outlooks, current and predicted infrastructure impacts, and a summary of preparations at the federal, state, and local levels.

July 6, 2021

Tropical Storm Elsa is passing near the Florida Keys and is expected move near or over portions of the west coast of Florida later today through tonight and then move northeastward across the southeastern U.S. through Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). It is expected to bring heavy rainfall across the western Florida Peninsula though Wednesday, potentially resulting in considerable flash and urban flooding. From mid to late week, Elsa is predicted to bring heavy rainfall across coastal Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and southeastern Virginia that may result in considerable flash and urban flooding in some places. Elsa is also bringing the threat of storm surge, with a Storm Surge Warning and a Storm Surge Watch in effect, and high winds. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph, with higher gusts. The NHC forecasts Elsa will slowly strengthen through tonight and could be near hurricane strength before it makes landfall along the north Florida Gulf coast on Wednesday. The NHC expects Elsa to weaken after it moves inland. Access the forecasts at the NHC.

WaterISAC has also posted below FEMA's Daily Operations Briefing, which includes additional forecasts and outlooks, predicted infrastructure impacts, and a summary of preparations at the federal, state, and local levels. For predicted impacts, it indicates short term short-term energy outages (72 hours) and isolated road closures are anticipated.

July 5, 2021

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports tropical storm conditions are expected in portions of the Florida Keys and along the Florida west coast tonight through Tuesday night. For these and areas to the north along Elsa's path, including from Georgia to North Carolina, the NHC states heavy rains may result in flash, urban, and minor river flooding. Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches and Storm Surge Watches are in effect for many areas in Florida. Access the forecasts at the NHC.

WaterISAC has also posted below FEMA's Daily Operations Briefing, which includes a forecast and a summary of preparations for Elsa at the federal, state, and local levels. 

July 4, 2021

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports tropical storm conditions, storm surge, and rainfall impacts are expected beginning late Monday in the Florida Keys and are possible along the coast of southwestern Florida beginning Monday night. It adds there is a risk of tropical storm conditions, storm surge, and rainfall impacts along the remainder or the Florida Peninsula Monday night through Wednesday and the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas Wednesday through Thursday. The NHC also continues to note that the forecast uncertainty is larger than usual, now because of Elsa’s potential interaction with Cuba. Access the forecasts at the NHC.

WaterISAC has also posted below FEMA's Daily Operations Briefing, which includes a forecast and a summary of preparations for Elsa at the federal, state, and local levels.

July 3, 2021

Elsa has weakened slightly and is now back to tropical storm strength, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports there is an increasing risk of tropical storm conditions, storm surge, and rainfall impacts beginning Monday in the Florida Keys and the southern Florida Peninsula. It adds the risk will spread northward along the Peninsula through Wednesday and reach the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas Wednesday and Thursday. The NHC also continues to note that the forecast uncertainty is larger than usual because of Elsa’s potential interaction with the Greater Antilles. The NHC encourages entities in Florida to monitor Elsa’s progress and forecast. Access the forecasts at the NHC.

WaterISAC has also posted below FEMA's Daily Operations Briefing, which includes a forecast and a summary of preparations for Elsa at the federal, state, and local levels.

July 2, 2021

Elsa has strengthened to a hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph as of this morning. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) continues to report there is a risk of wind, rainfall, and storm surge impacts for portions of Florida early next week, for the Florida Keys and the Florida Peninsula. The NHC's forecast shows Elsa weakening to tropical storm strength by the time it begins impacting Florida. The NHC also continues to note that the forecast uncertainty is larger than usual because of Elsa’s potential interaction with the Greater Antilles this weekend. The NHC encourages entities in Florida to monitor Elsa’s progress and forecast. Access the forecasts at the NHC.

WaterISAC has also posted below FEMA's Daily Operations Briefing, which includes a forecast and a summary of preparations for Elsa at the federal, state, and local levels.

July 1, 2021

Tropical Storm Elsa is posing a risk of wind, rainfall, and storm surge impacts to the Florida Keys and portions of the southern Florida Peninsula early next week, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). However, it notes that the forecast uncertainty is larger than usual because of Elsa’s potential interaction with the Greater Antilles this weekend. The NHC encourages entities in Florida to monitor Elsa’s progress and forecast. Access the forecasts at the NHC.