Elsa is making waves.
The fifth-named tropical storm of the 2021 Atlantic season was threatening to make landfall north of Tampa Bay late July 6 or early July 7, according to forecast models released as The Islander went to press July 5.
The National Hurricane Center early July 5 said the tropical storm — which became a hurricane July 2 and then diminished again to a tropical storm July 3 — would bring heavy rain to Cuba and the Cayman Islands.
At 5 a.m. July 5, Elsa produced maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was located about 220 miles southeast of Havana, Cuba. The storm-force winds extended about 70 miles from Elsa’s center.
Impact to the Florida Keys was expected later July 5 and overnight while heavy rainfall, flooding, storm surge and high winds were expected to impact the Florida peninsula July 6-7.
A tropical storm watch and storm surge watch were in effect for much of the Florida’s west coast, including Manatee County.
Forecasts estimated a regional impact of 2-4 inches of rain, 1-3 feet of storm surge and wind with gusts up to 60 mph.
Manatee County and Florida emergency management officials encouraged residents to stock up on supplies and review their storm plans.