Meteorologist: Storm Surge Anticipated Along Florida West, South Coasts

There is a possibility that the tropical storm won't lead to a lot of damage in the Tampa Bay region, Spectrum Bay News 9 meteorologist Josh Linker said. Still, the area should anticipate lots of wind and rain.

Tropical Storm Elsa

On Sunday afternoon as Elsa move nearer to the state, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a tropical storm watch for Tampa Bay and some parts of Florida's Gulf Coast.

A storm surge that stretches from Bonita Beach on the East Coast and propelled northward past Tampa Bay to the Suwannee River was also in effect. Elsa is anticipated to arrive at Tampa Bay overnight Tuesday.

The momentum of Tropical Storm Elsa began to diminish Sunday morning as it approaches Cuba, but still made threatens to deliver strong winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding when it gets to the Florida Keys late Monday on the way to the Tampa Bay area.

As of the 8 p.m update of the hurricane center., Elsa's center was just south of Cuba, with up to about 60 mph sustaining winds. The storm could lightly strengthen after it passes the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane center said.

Cuba Evacuates About 180,000 People

The storm could take rain of about two to four inches across the Florida peninsula, Florida Keys, and coastal Georgia from Monday to Wednesday, with rain of up to six inches in some regions. There is a possibility that storm surges of two to four feet will be experienced in Tampa Bay area.

The fifth named storm of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, Elsa, pushed between Jamaica and Cuba during the end of the week, when it briefly got to hurricane strength and took the life of about three people after it battered the Caribbean islands. About 180,000 people were evacuated from Cuba along the island's southern region.

Midday Sunday, Elsa was covered in warm, deep waters between Jamaica and southern Cuba. Best conditions for the storm to rejuvenate, said meteorologist Josh Linker of Spectrum Bay News 9. But at the same time, the structure of the storm has started to tilt a bit, Josh Linker said - This strongly indicates that the storm is becoming disorganized.

Elsa's Encounter with Cuba

Coming as it does while Elsa gets closer to the mountains of Cuba - where some of the warm moist Caribbean air that fuels were lost - this development gave a promise to further pull apart the spiraling storm.

Among forecasters, all focus were on the encounter Elsa had with Cuba on Monday. Will the storm take an entire day to travel the length of the island or just clip a spot before searching for the warm sea again?

Linker said the outcome of northern Cuba will be very crucial for determining what effects will be noticed in Tampa Bay.

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