HLSPHI DEZ003-004-MDZ015-019-020-NJZ013-014-020-022>027-091000- Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 35 National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ AL052021 511 PM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021 This product covers New Jersey...Delaware...southeastern Pennsylvania and the Eastern Shore of Maryland **Elsa is Expected to Impact Portions of Southern Delaware and eastern New Jersey late tonight into Friday morning.** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Atlantic, Atlantic Coastal Cape May, Cape May, Caroline, Coastal Atlantic, Coastal Ocean, Delaware Beaches, Eastern Monmouth, Inland Sussex, Ocean, Queen Annes, Southeastern Burlington, Talbot, and Western Monmouth * STORM INFORMATION: - About 300 miles southwest of Atlantic City NJ or about 250 miles southwest of Dover DE - 36.3N 78.3W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement Northeast or 40 degrees at 21 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Elsa is continuing to track northeast across North Carolina this evening. Elsa is forecast to move over southern Delaware and eastern New Jersey late this evening and tonight into Friday morning. Elsa will then continue to accelerate and move northeast, away from New Jersey, late Friday morning. The main threats with this system are heavy rainfall resulting in flash flooding, the potential for river flooding, and tropical storm force winds, especially near the coast. Dangerous marine conditions will develop over the Atlantic Waters and the lower Delaware Bay including strong winds, rough seas, and dangerous rip currents. Additionally, a few tornadoes may be be possible which could lead to locally enhanced damage. Two to four inches of rainfall are forecast through tonight and into Friday morning, with locally higher amounts up to six inches possible. Heavy rainfall will result in a threat of flash flooding. Dangerous marine conditions are also expected to develop along the Delaware Bay waters south of Slaughter Beach and along the Atlantic Coastal Waters for all of Delaware and up towards Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Tropical Storm force winds will be most likely across the waters with seas building to six to nine feet. Dangerous rip currents will likely occur along the ocean beaches of Delaware and New Jersey. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across northern New Jersey. Potential impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across central and southern New Jersey, Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the coastal areas of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, coastal Sussex Delaware, and coastal Cape May County in NJ.. Potential impacts include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. * TORNADOES: Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across eastern New Jersey and southeastern Delaware. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, plan to move to safe shelter. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of others. When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe. Be sure to let friends and family members know of your intentions for weathering the storm and your whereabouts. Have someone located away from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital contact information with others. Keep cell phones handy and charged. Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations. If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ around 1130 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$ $$