Elsa makes landfall as tropical storm in Florida
Tropical Storm Elsa made landfall in Florida as a tropical storm after officials predicted it would become a Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center said Elsa hit north Florida’s Taylor County with speeds up to 65 miles per hour.
Tropical Storm #Elsa Advisory 30: Center of Elsa Making Landfall in Taylor County Along the North Florida Gulf Coast. https://t.co/VqHn0u1vgc
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) July 7, 2021
“Clearly, this could have been worse,” Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said in a morning press conference, The Associated Press reported.
DeSantis previously said Elsa was expected to be a hurricane when it reached land, but the system weakened hours before making landfall.
This is the second time Elsa had become a hurricane and then was downgraded to a tropical storm.
The hurricane warning placed on many areas has been lifted, but flash flooding and power outages are still expected in the state.
“We’re fortunate to see minimal damage & flooding this morning, but it’s important to keep safety top of mind,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (D) tweeted Wednesday.
Good Morning, @CityofTampa!
We’re fortunate to see minimal damage & flooding this morning, but it’s important to keep safety top of mind. Be aware of your surroundings & don’t drive through flood waters. pic.twitter.com/ztvBlzsmUU
— Jane Castor (@JaneCastor) July 7, 2021
There are 26,000 customers without power in Tampa, DeSantis said.
Elsa did not directly hit the Key West, although flooding and power outages affected the area, but a boat capsized and nine people are still missing.
The storm has also impeded search and rescue efforts happening at a Surfside, Fla., condo building that collapsed
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