My prayers are with all the families, friends and businesses in all areas!

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Tropical Storm Elsa is making it’s move over the Keys, now on the way north into the Gulf parallel to the Gulf Coast of Florida, all the way from  to on the way up the Gulf towards east of Indian Pass. It could gain strength and become a category 1 hurricane, sometime evening hours to the middle of tonight. Be ready for storm surge, high winds, power outages and possible tornadoes. . Check out for your local listings here: Nationwide Station Listing Using Broadcast Frequencies. It is important to exercise extra special care in those regions. Get ready…start preparing for landfall right away!! Finish up your board up detail right away to allow enough time for escape, and sleep thoroughly tonight to make your move right away in the morning. Have an escape plan in place. All residents in the warning area should have a hurricane plan in action or visit https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness. Please adhere to safety measures and stay out of the way of danger! This storm is still capable of major damage. Prepare early, as traffic can be a downfall of your escape plans. Do NOT think that you can sit out the storm! This is going to have torrential rains, wind, tornadoes, damage, flying debris, and unfortunately a large amount of deaths. Also, make sure that your pets and livestock are not subject to this storm. Make arrangements accordingly. Even though Claudette did some damage, this storm promises some major devastation, so prepare accordingly. Current posting from the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center

Visit: The NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center’s Facebook page for more info. More technical information as provided by cdema.org – Tropical Weather Systems.

The current tropical activity report directly from the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center:

…ELSA EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE BEFORE LANDFALL OVER THE NORTHERN FLORIDA GULF COAST…
*** A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the west coast of Florida from Egmont Key to the Steinhatchee River. Hurricane conditions are expected within the Hurricane Warning area on the Florida Gulf coast beginning this evening. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
*** A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to the Aucilla River, including Tampa Bay.
*** A Tropical Storm Warning continues in effect for the Florida Keys from the Seven Mile Bridge westward to the Dry Tortugas, the west coast of Florida from Flamingo to south of Egmont Key and from north of Steinhatchee River to Ochlockonee River; and for the coast of Georgia from the Mouth of the St. Marys River to Altamaha Sound. Tropical storm conditions will continue over portions of the warning area in the Florida Keys through this evening. Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread northward into west-central
Florida and the Florida Big Bend region in the warning areas tonight and early Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the Tropical Storm Warning area along the Georgia coast by late Wednesday.
*** A Storm Surge Watch is in effect from west of the Aucilla River to the Ochlockonee River, Florida.
*** A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from north of Altamaha Sound, Georgia, to South Santee River, South Carolina. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in Georgia and South Carolina Wednesday night and early Thursday.
Interests elsewhere in the Carolinas and the mid-Atlantic coast should monitor the progress of Elsa.
For storm information specific to your area in the United States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office – www.weather.gov
At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Elsa was located about 155 miles (250 km) south of Tampa, Florida. It’s moving north near 9 mph (15 km/h) and a general northward motion is expected today and tonight. A turn toward the north near 10 mph (17 km/h), and a generally northward motion is expected through tonight. A turn toward the north-northeast is expected on Wednesday, followed by a faster northeastward motion by late Thursday. On the forecast track, Elsa will move near or over portions of the west coast of Florida later today through tonight. Elsa is forecast to make landfall along the north Florida Gulf coast Wednesday morning and then move across the southeastern United States through Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km) from the center. Buoy 42023 recently measured a peak 1-minute sustained wind of 67 mph (107 km/h) gusting to 78 mph (126 km/h). Elsa is forecast to become a hurricane before making landfall. Weakening will begin after Elsa moves inland by late Wednesday.
The combination of a storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:
– Englewood, FL to Aucilla River including Tampa Bay…3 to 5 ft
– Bonita Beach, FL to Englewood, FL including Charlotte Harbor…2 to 4 ft
– Aucilla River to Ochlockonee River…2 to 4 ft
– Flamingo, FL to Bonita Beach, FL…1 to 3 ft
– Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass…1 to 2 ft
– Mouth of St. Marys River to South Santee River, SC…1 to 2 ft
Elsa is expected to produce the following rainfall amounts and impacts this week:
* Across the Florida Keys into southwest and western portions of the Florida Peninsula…3 to 6 inches with localized maximum totals up to 9 inches through Wednesday, which may result in considerable flash and urban flooding, along with minor to isolated moderate river flooding.
* Across the rest of Florida…2 to 4 inches with localized maximum totals up to 6 inches through Wednesday night, which may result in considerable isolated flash and urban flooding along with minor to isolated moderate river flooding.
* Across portions of southeast Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina, 3 to 5 inches with isolated maximum totals up to 8 inches will be possible, which may result in considerable flash and urban flooding.
* Across coastal portions of North Carolina into southeastern Virginia…1 to 3 inches with isolated totals up to 5 inches Wednesday night through Thursday night, which could lead to isolated flash and urban flooding.
A few tornadoes are possible through tonight across the Florida Peninsula. The tornado threat will continue on Wednesday across north Florida, southeast Georgia, and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The tornado threat should shift to the eastern Carolinas and far southeast Virginia on Thursday.
The next complete advisory will be issued by NHC at 11 p.m. EDT with an intermediate advisory at 8 p.m. EDT – www.hurricanes.gov

↓ At 4:00 pm ↓

Atlantic Tropical Report: The Atlantic season for the year 2021 is due to be a busier than normal year, and is off to a heavier than normal year so far. Tropical Storm Elsa has passed the Keys and is poised for another landfall tomorrow or Thursday as it moves up the Gulf Coast all the way east of Indian Pass, with chance of strengthening and becoming a category 1 hurricane as it treks across warm Gulf waters. A busy day ALL day tomorrow–thereby being a possibility of.

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— NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. However, experts do not anticipate the historic level of storm activity seen in 2020.

Source: NOAA‘s Article – NOAA predicts another active Atlantic hurricane season | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Tips: Preparedness Before, During & After Tropical Weather:
Re-posted article from: 6/22/21: Hurricane & Tropical Safety Starts With Preparedness
Here are tips before the storm, a lot of these should generally be maintained before a hurricane watch is issued, months before a prediction is made:
PREPARATION BEFORE A HURRICANE:

  1. Strap down the roof. Using hurricane straps/clips to fastening your home’s roof to the frame of the house, thus reducing any roof damage.
  2. Put head plus foot bolts on all entry doors.
  3. Buy or make window covers and storm shutters. Board up any remaining windows. Make sure all glass is covered no matter how small to reduce debris.
  4. Take any antennae and satellite equipment down.
  5. Caulk around the doors and windows.
  6. Secure and protect all attached structures. Make sure all patio furniture, grills are put away or get it into your house. Turn off propane and try to cover them if possible.
  7. Test the sump pumps and drains, and make sure the back-flow flap valves are operating to assure that water does not back up from the drain pipe.
  8. Turn off ALL utilities at the shut-off valves, and trip the electric main. Pull out all the unnecessary plugs at every receptacle in case of lightning strikes after possible submersion. Do not unplug the refrigerator and/or freezers. Make sure that you have battery operated security as it is not safe to leave AC on during a storm.
  9. Take before photos to have handy for your information and insurance purposes. They may be necessary to assist your later damages from the storm.

The instance that you hear, several days before onslaught, put off Xbox and all hobbies and get adequate sleep, because once you are going to make a decision and prepare if the hurricane looks like it is going to hit, you are going to need this sleep very badly. DO NOT think for a minute that you can stay and ride out the storm!! Reporters dispatched out into the storm are trained individuals who undergo years of training and underlying experiences, so don’t even think that going out on a whim to stay and see the hurricane is a viable option. When the authorities state that it is unsafe to stay, get ready right away! Do NOT wait until it is too late. Procrastination is your worst enemy, as a bad rush hour is a baby compared to trying to get out late in a hurricane. This is why a lot of times all lanes of highways go the same way–OUT!

  • When authorities say to evacuate, DO NOT argue, and do so immediately.
  • Make sure you bring proper ID, you will need it to get back when the storm has passed.
  • Leave and mobile homes and to go to a nearby shelter.
  • If your home is not on high ground or in a flood plain, go to a shelter.

Make sure you do not forget anything at home, because you will not be able to return to home one you leave! The authorities WILL NOT allow you to go back once you make your move for any reason, as they do not have time to deal with security issues and are trained to make sure everyone is getting out. If you wait too long and cannot evacuate, if you have an emergency, a lot of times there may be no assistance for you in an emergency. Phone lines are down even in this computer age, and emergency individuals are swarmed with work, and a lot of people already evacuated. Here are some survival tips:+
DURING A HURRICANE:

  1. Always stay indoors during a hurricane, and do not venture outside because strong winds will blow things around. The force of a flying object can be deadly or devastating.
  2. Make sure you know low-lying and flood prone areas, and STAY AWAY. Once water covers, you will not know how low they really are. Do not walk on the flooded areas, as manhole covers wash away, and the chance of falling into a crevice is very dangerous.
  3. Stay informed by monitoring the storm by radio, and if power is still an option, plug in the TV, and/or internet. A battery operated NOAA.com weather radio is most helpful.
  4. Avoid the phone, except for a serious emergency.

Stay alert for extended rainfall and all subsequent flooding after the hurricane has passed and tropical storm has moved out of the area. If you evacuated, return only when the officials approve say it is safe. Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed out areas. Have ID ready as checkpoints only allow officials, media, cleared parties and people with proper credentials to pass for safety and security.
Here are After the Storm tips:
AFTER A HURRICANE:
Access any and all damages carefully and pay attention to safety, including embedded glass and shrapnel. Have a first aid kit handy.

  1. Call insurance and only follow the following tips after proper accessing has been done, and don’t forget to take photos first before you fix damages. keep all receipts for supplies, fixing–for insurance or to claim a loss.
  2. Access the possibility and turn on utilities ONLY if possible, plug in at every receptacle in case of lightning strikes after possible submersion. Make sure that you have battery operated security as it is not safe to leave AC on during a storm.
  3. Access stability and remove the straps on the roof. Remove hurricane straps/clips to fastening your home’s roof to the frame of the house, thus reducing any roof damage.
  4. Remove any head/foot bolts on entry doors.
  5. Remove or higher window covers and storm shutters. Carefully take all board-up and covering down/off.
  6. Re-install antennae and satellite equipment.
  7. Take down the strapping from secured attached structures. Re-position all patio furniture, grills, etc. Turn on propane and hook up utilities if possible.
  8. Check the sump pumps and drains, and make sure they are operating properly to assure that they are ready for subsequent storms.
  9. It may take several weeks to dispose of refuse, make sure if any waste is hazardous to dispose of properly.
  10. Fix the decor to return everything to it’s normal state.

The good news of a hurricane, is that they are the most predictable storm on the planet. Except in the late hurricane season of late October and November hurricanes usually move at predictable speeds, and are seen days ahead of time. The problem is that in true reality, if you know that you are in a hurricane zone, you really should play it smart and be prepared with plenty of supplies that are put away in a close storage area, so that the only thing you need to do to prepare for an oncoming hurricane is boarding up and getting out.

A hurricane is a nasty fact of life, but truly is necessary for the world to exist as it does. Hurricanes are mother nature’s control and thermostat to ensure that the oceans do not overheat. The hurricane sheds heat off the ocean surface and casts the heat into outer space really fast. They are true heat vacuums. The cores of heat shed from hurricanes make the ceilings of heat from 5 times to sometimes fifty times higher in altitude. It is the only time heat ever goes this high up. The price? The waters of the tropical oceans pay a high price in lost ocean wildlife and damage to underwater vegetation including the coral reef if the oceans are too warm. Hurricanes also pull the continental weather down further south in this hemisphere to ensure that the polar weather doesn’t get so intense in the tundra areas, so that vegetation can exist. Hurricanes absolutely need to exist if we want to live on earth. They are not going away, and we need to be prepared, and be safe.

FIND YOUR LOCAL NOAA.com WEATHER RADIO STATION:n

FIND YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORESCAST:w

STAY SAFE!!

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