Tropical Storm Elsa was blowing and raining along the Florida Keys on Tuesday ahead of an eventual landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida before what’s left of the fifth tropical cyclone of 2021 passes through the Outer Banks.
While Elsa is expected to weaken into a tropical depression as it crosses the Carolinas, and no watches or warnings are currently in effect for eastern North Carolina, there is still a threat of rough weather on Thursday.
“Heavy rain with localized flash flooding is possible, with up to several inches of rain in heavier downpours,” said forecaster David Glenn at the Newport/Morehead City National Weather Service office. “Isolated severe thunderstorms including a few tornadoes are possible.”
“Gusty winds up to tropical storm force may occur, especially along coastal portions, which may lead to minor water level rises along the soundside portions of the Outer Banks and the Crystal Coast. Also, high surf and dangerous rip currents will be a threat,” Glenn said.
While there is a mention of soundside flooding in the latest update from the weather service, it is not expected to be a major problem with this system.
“The National Weather Service considers minor flooding as a nuisance, not life-threatening water level rises,” said Drew Pearson, Dare County Emergency Management Director.
Elsa became a tropical storm on July 1, the earliest ever for the fifth named tropical cyclone of the year to form in the Atlantic, breaking the record set in 2020 by Eduardo.
National Weather Service forecast for Nags Head, as of Tuesday 12 p.m.:
This Afternoon – Moderate risk of rip currents, only experienced surf swimmers in the ocean
Sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.