According to the hurricane center, Elsa was moving westward at 14 mph and sustained winds of 60 miles per hour. Elsa’s hurricane force winds can extend outward to 115 miles from its centre.
Late Saturday night, heavy rains and strong winds caused havoc in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Two people were killed in the Dominican Republic when Elsa attacked the Caribbean island on Saturday. The country’s Emergency Operations Center, COE said.
According to COE, in separate incidents, walls collapsed in Bahoruco killing a 15 year-old and Bani killing a 75 year-old.
Elsa is moving near Jamaica and parts eastern and central Cuba Sunday, according to the hurricane center. These areas are where tropical storm conditions can be expected, and possible hurricane conditions later Sunday night.
Meteorologists say the forecast is less certain after Sunday. However, Elsa could bring heavy rainfall and gusty wind to South Florida this week, including the site of the fatal Surfside condo collapse.
The hurricane center has issued a tropical storm alert for the Florida Keys, from Craig Key west through Dry Tortugas. A tropical storm watch was issued for Craig Key east to Ocean Reef and the southwest coast of Florida from Flamingo north through Bonita Beach.
Elsa will likely track through central and western Cuba by Monday and then head towards the Florida Straits. Parts of the Keys and Southwest Florida are expected to experience tropical storm conditions by Monday evening. Elsa will then move over or near portions of Florida’s west coast on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A slight strengthening may be possible Sunday when Elsa travels through warmer waters and approaches the south-central coast. As Elsa crosses Cuba, it is expected to experience a gradual decline Sunday night and Monday. When the storm passes Cuba it will move into Florida Straits, where it can be redirected over the warm Gulf Stream.
The Florida Keys are likely to experience tropical storm conditions late Monday, with heavy rain and storm surges of up to 3 feet. They are also possible along the coast of Southwest Florida starting Monday night.
Florida Governor. On Saturday, Ron DeSantis declared a state-of-emergency for 15 counties ahead of Elsa. He encouraged residents to start preparations, such as stocking disaster supplies kits with at least a week’s supply and creating a disaster plan.
DeSantis stated that “we’re preparing to the risk of isolated tornadoes and storm surge, heavy rain, flash flooding, and storm surge,”
The following counties are affected by the state of emergency: Charlotte, Citrus and Collier, DeSoto. Hardee. Hernando. Hillsborough. Lee. Levy. Manatee. Monroe. Pasco. Pinellas. Sarasota.
