- October 27, 2024
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Elsa strengthened from a tropical storm to a hurricane the morning of July 2, becoming the first hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season and bringing hurricane conditions to Barbados as the storm continues to track in the direction of Florida.
Tropical Storm conditions are expected to affect the Windward and Leeward Islands this morning of July 2 and to reach Jamaica by the night of Saturday, July 3, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Although South Florida could see impacts early this coming week and the NHC's tracking map shows it curving up the state's west coast, the forecast's uncertainty remains large because of the storm's potential interaction with the Greater Antilles over the weekend, according to the NHC.
Local officials are advising residents to stock up their disaster supply kits and to keep vehicles gassed up and some cash available.
Residents should also make sure they know if they are in an evacuation zone — and if so, which one — and where they'll go if they're ordered to evacuate. Emergency management officials are advising people that if evacuations are ordered, it is generally better to evacuate tens of miles to stay at a hotel or the home of a friend or relative outside of the evacuation zone than it is to travel hundreds of miles.
Residents should also have a tool set ready, know how to turn off their utilities, prune back loose branches and tree limbs and prepare for the possibility of putting up shutters.
For storm and preparedness information in Flagler County, go to www.flaglercounty.org/emergency and click on “Personal and Family Preparedness” and follow Emergency Management on social media at www.Facebook.com/FlaglerEOC, www.Twitter.com/FlaglerEOC or www.Instagram.com/FlaglerEOC.
In Volusia County, see storm preparedness tips at https://www.volusia.org/services/public-protection/emergency-management/pin/preparedness-plan-check.stml and follow Emergency Management on Twitter at https://twitter.com/VCEmergencyInfo and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VolusiaCountyEmergencyManagement.
