Full Notification

Elsa Local Watch/Warning Statement/Advisory Number 34
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ  AL052021
1118 AM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021

Hurricane Local Statement

Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 34
DEZ003-004-MDZ015-019-020-NJZ013-014-020-022>027-090000-

Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 34
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ  AL052021
1140 AM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021

This product covers NEW JERSEY...DELAWARE...SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHEAST MARYLAND

**Elsa is Expected to Impact Portions of Southern Delaware and eastern New Jersey late tonight into Friday morning.**


NEW INFORMATION
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* 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 420 miles southwest of Atlantic City NJ or about 370 miles southwest of Dover DE
    - 35.0N 79.7W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 40 degrees at 20 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
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Tropical Storm Elsa is continuing to track northeast across the Carolinas this morning. Elsa is forecast to move over southern Delaware and eastern New Jersey late 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 for eastern New Jersey and southeastern Delaware which could lead to locally enhanced damage.

Two to four inches of rainfall are forecast this afternoon 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
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* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against 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 waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable. 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:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across 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.

Elsewhere across NEW JERSEY...DELAWARE...SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHEAST MARYLAND, little to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across NEW JERSEY...DELAWARE...SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHEAST MARYLAND. 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
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* 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 complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.

If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution.

If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit.

Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.

Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area.

It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don`t drown!

If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options.

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, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.

* 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
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ around 5 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

Instructions:

See Body of Message