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LIVE BLOG: Tropical Storm Elsa

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Posted at 2:55 PM, Jul 06, 2021
and last updated 2021-07-07 05:49:13-04

TAMPA, Fla. — Tropical Storm Elsa is moving almost parallel to the west coast of Florida as it brings heavy rains and gusty winds to the Tampa Bay area. The National Hurricane Center says the storm will make landfall along the north Florida Gulf Coast by late Wednesday morning or afternoon.

HURRICANE ELSA RESOURCES

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5:48 AM

Hurricane Warning dropped for coastal Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Still in place along the coast of Citrus County.

5:24 AM

Drivers in North Port are asked to use caution as crews assess roadway impacts. The following streets have been identified as drivers needing to use caution on various levels.

  • N Salford between Warrior & Roderigo
  • Eager/41
  • Cranberry/Sahara
  • Price/Salford
  • Price/Race
  • Price/Creek 9
  • Cranberry/Thomas
  • Sumter/Cases
  • Hillsborough/Miracle
  • Chamberlain south of Price
  • Multiple areas on Tropicare
  • Sumter North of I-75
  • Dorothy Ave.
  • Sumter/Appomattox
  • Biscayne/41
  • Cranberry/Ridley
  • Cranberry/Tulsa
  • Cranberry/McKay
  • Cranberry/Berry
  • Ponce De Leon/Helliwell
  • Chamberlain/Jameson
  • Parts of Reisterstown
  • North Port Blvd between Chancellor and Biscayne
  • Chancellor/Biscayne
  • Salford/Cuthburt
  • North Salford from Eldron and Lamarqe
  • Price between Sumter/Salford
  • N Salford from Tishman & Homewood
  • N Cranberry from Homewood & Saybrook
  • Kingsly/Appomattox
  • North Cranberry/Chiply
  • North Chamberlain through Boca Chica & Hamstead
  • North Port Blvd/Greenwood

5:00 AM

Tropical Storm Elsa continues to weaken, with winds down to 65 mph in the National Hurricane Center's 5 a.m. update. The system is moving almost parallel with Florida's west coast. Impacts to the Tampa Bay area will continue to decrease throughout the morning. However, scattered rain and storms will continue through the afternoon.

The NHC is forecasting landfall by late Wednesday morning or afternoon along the north Florida Gulf Coast.

2:30 AM

The tornado warnings issued for Desoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties expired.

2:10 AM

Tornado warnings issued for Desoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties until 2:30 a.m.

2:00 AM

Elsa downgraded to a tropical storm.

Elsa downgraded to tropicl storm

1:36 AM

1:30 AM

The NWS allowed the tornado warning to expire.

Tornado warnings expire for three counties

1:10 AM

A Tornado Warning has been issued for Hernando, Pasco, and Sumter counties until 1:30 a.m.

1:05 AM

Outages update:
TECO -- 10,609
DUKE -- 2,000
FPL -- 3,500

1:00 AM

Denis provides a quick update of what to expect over the next several hours.

Tracking the Tropics | 1 A.M. July 7 update

12:38 PM

Clearwater Beach is gusty as Elsa blows by

12:34 PM

Outage Update
TECO -- 4,480
Duke --1,000
FPL -- 2390

12:00 AM

Denis Phillips gives us the latest on Hurricane Elsa

Hurricane Elsa 12 p.m. update Via Denis

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7

11:50 PM
Outage Update:
TECO -- 2,409
DUKE -- 1,000
FPL -- 2,490

A Pinellas official answers questions about the situation in Pinellas and what areas are prone to floods.

Pinellas County official talks on flood prone areas and power outges

11:27 PM

Erik Waxler gives us a look at intense winds in Pinellas.

Erik Waxler vs Hurricane Elsa rain and wind

11:00 PM

NHS releases new info on Elsa and Denis explains.

11 p.m Hurricane Elsa update via Denis

- Power Outage Update...
Duke Energy - reporting around 1,000 people without power just northeast of Dunedin
FPL - reporting 2,140 people without power in Manatee County and another 350 in Sarasota County
TECO - no widespread outages reported at this time

10:38 PM - A Tornado Watch has been issued for all of central and west-central Florida until 8 a.m. as Hurricane Elsa moves through the area.

10:24 PM

Ryan Smith tells us how quickly heavy rain and wind came then went in Manatee County.

Manatee County weather update 10:30 pm

10:15 PM

Emergency Management Chief in Sarasota gives us the rundown on any damage or issues in the county.

Sarasota Emergency management Chief talks Elsa

10 PM
Views from local beaches in Sarasota and Hillsborough

Lots of rain and heavy winds near Sarasota late Tuesday
Hillsborough County windy with light rain late Tuesday

9:45 PM
Ryan Smith gives an update on storm conditions in Manatee County and speaks with a local family about precautions.

Manatee County seeing some flooding near the beaches

McKenna King updates us on the weather in Clearwater and efforts to keep everyone safe.

Clearwater officials asking everyone to go home and be safe

9:37 PM

Sporadic power outages have been reported across the area as Hurricane Elsa moves through. Here are the latest numbers:
Duke Energy - approximately 317 homes without power, primarily around St. Petersburg
Florida Power and Light - reports 450 homes without power in Sarasota County
TECO - no widespread outages reported

9:00 PM

Mayor Kriseman calls in to discuss Elsa in St. Pete.

Mayor Kriseman talks Elsa and what they're doing in St. Pete

8:30 PM

Harsh waters and heavy winds began hitting St. Pete Pier as Adam Walser chats with vacationers.

Rough waters and high winds hit St. Pete pier

Clearwater beach began to see high winds and beachgoers head inside for safety.

St. Pete starting to see high winds

8:00 PM

Mayor Jane Castor called in to tell us how to city plans to handle Hurricane Elsa and her hopes for the Lightning game tomorrow.

Mayor Castor talks Hurricane Elsa prep in Tampa

7:45 PM

Elsa has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches Tampa Bay

Hurricane Elsa 8 P.M. update via Denis

7:10 PM

Governor Ron DeSantis called in to explain the state response to Elsa and the collapse in Surfside, Florida.

DeSantis talks Elsa and Surfside

7:06 PM

Publix grocery stores across the Tampa Bay area will close their doors at 8 p.m. Tuesday night and not reopen until Wednesday morning due to Tropical Storm Elsa.

Click the map below to see the closing and opening times for the stores near you.

6:49 PM

6:29 pm

6:16 PM

Bayshore Boulevard flooded last year with Hurricane Eta. With Elsa on the way, Reporter Julie Salomone says flooding is possible again

Bayshore Boulevard could flood as Elsa approaches Tampa Bay

6:10 PM

Reporter Erik Waxler was at St. Pete beach and caught up with people enjoying the beaches as Elsa approaches

Residents still enjoying the beaches in Pinellas County with Elsa on the way

6:09 PM

Lots of tourists are in the Tampa Bay area, but as Elsa approaches, they are respecting the storm and being safe. Reporter Ryan Smith has the latest

Tourists respecting the storm in Manatee County

6:05 PM

Longboat Key weather conditions are starting to pick up with Tropical Storm Elsa on the way to Tampa Bay. Reporter Wendi Lane has the latest

Longboat Key weather conditions starting to pick up with Elsa on the way

5:30 PM

Gov. DeSantis held a press conference to discuss Elsa's impact on Florida.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • At this time, 33 counties are included in DeSantis' state of emergency order
  • The State of Emergency Operations is now a Level 1 operation, which means they will be working 24/7
  • Roads will be dangerous as storms pass throughout the night, do NOT joy ride
  • If you are using a generator, do NOT have the exhaust anywhere near your home

Governor DeSantis expanded the State of Emergency for Tropical Storm Elsa. The State of Emergency now includes the following counties: Alachua, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor and Wakulla counties. DeSoto, Hardee and Miami-Dade counties are no longer under a State of Emergency due to the changed projected path of Tropical Storm Elsa.

  • Governor DeSantis made further changes to the State of Emergency for Tropical Storm Elsa. As of 4:21 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6, the following counties were added for the State of Emergency: Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and Union. Additionally, Franklin County was removed.
Gov. DeSantis gives an update on Elsa's progress

5:30 PM

The weather seems clear for several parts of the bay area but Elsa still looms on the horizon.

Tarpon Spring at high risk of flooding
Longboat Key beaches cleared ahead of Elsa
St. Pete beach clear as of 5:30 p.m but businesses closing early
Bayshore Boulevard windy but mostly clear at 5:30 p.m
Clearwater Beach hosting lots of visitors and man seem unfazed by storm threat
Manatee County starting to see impacts from Elsa

4:27 PM

Right now, Tarpon Springs is getting ready for Elsa's impact and people are making their last-minute preparations. Reporter Haley Bull has the latest info

Tarpon Springs businesses closing and preparing for Elsa

4:07 PM

Residents in Longboat Key are no strangers to flooding, they experienced it after Tropical Storm Eta and now with Elsa approaching, they say they are taking it seriously.

Longboat Key residents working to protect homes after evacuation order

3:58 PM

Reporter Robert Boyd spoke to some residents on Dandy Beach as they prepare for Tropical Storm Elsa

Some residents making their own sandbags on Dandy Beach

3:48 PM

Due to Tropical Storm Elsa, the Tampa International Airport will be closing at 5 p.m. Tuesday

Tampa Airport closing for Elsa

3:37 PM

People who live near the shore acres community in St. Pete are busy getting sandbags to prepare for the storm. ABC action news reporter Adam Walser is at the Mangrove Bay Park where city employees have been hard at work.

Mangrove Bay Park hosts sandbag pick up Tuesday afternoon

3 PM

The entire Tampa Bay area is under a HURRICANE WARNING as Tropical Storm Elsa continues to strengthen as it approaches the region. Maximum sustained winds are 70 miles per hour with higher gusts. ABC Action News goes on the air at 3 p.m. with live coverage!

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