Tropical Storm — Coastal Manatee, Florida

2021-07-06 · Coastal Manatee, Florida

Event narrative

Hurricane Elsa originated from a tropical depression that formed in the central Atlantic east of the Windward Islands on June 30th. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Elsa on July 1st and strengthened to a hurricane on July 2nd while moving westward across the Windward Islands and into the eastern Caribbean Sea, reaching peak intensity of 85 mph and 991 mb later that day. Elsa gradually turned northwest while moving across the Caribbean and weakened to a tropical storm before making landfall in Cuba on July 5th. Elsa emerged in the southeast Gulf of Mexico late on the 5th and turned north, re-strengthened to a hurricane and reached a second peak of 75 mph and 995 mb on July 6th while centered about 100 miles south-southwest of Tampa. Elsa once again weakened to a tropical storm as it approached the northern Florida gulf coast, and made landfall on July 7th in Taylor County around 10 AM EST with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and a minimum central pressure of 999 mb. ASOS site KSRQ Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport reported a 54 mph wind gust.

Wider weather episode

The highest measured wind gust in west central Florida was 58 mph at Cedar Key in Levy County. Greatest water level rises occurred at Cedar Key in Levy County, where a peak water level of 2.68 ft MHHW was observed. Area rainfall amounts were generally in the 4- to 8-inch range with locally higher amounts, with a maximum storm total rainfall amount of 11.04 inches recorded at Punta Gorda in Charlotte County.

Levy County - In Levy County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Elsa was a gust of 57 mph at a NOS-NWLON site at Cedar Key. Rainfall was around 3 to 6 inches across the area and the maximum storm surge was 2.56 ft MHHW at Cedar Key, with a maximum water level of 2.68 ft MHHW. No significant property damage was reported.

Citrus County - In Citrus County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Elsa was a gust of 47 mph at a WeatherStem mesonet site near Crystal River. Rainfall was around 2 to 5 inches across the area and the maximum storm surge was 2.11 ft MHHW at Yankeetown. Little to no property damage was reported.

Hernando County - In Hernando County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Elsa was a gust of 46 mph at an ASOS site at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport. Rainfall was around 2 to 5 inches across the area with the maximum storm surge remaining unknown at this time. Little to no property damage was reported.

Pasco County - In Pasco County there were no tropical storm force winds recorded. Rainfall was around 2 to 5 inches across the area and the maximum storm surge remains unknown at this time. No significant property damage was reported.

Pinellas County - In Pinellas County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Elsa was a gust of 59 mph at a CWOP mesonet site at Clearwater Beach. Rainfall was around 2 to 5 inches across the area and the maximum water level was 1.75 ft MHHW at Old Port Tampa. No significant property damage was reported.

Hillsborough County - In Hillsborough County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Elsa was a gust of 42 mph at a CWOP mesonet site at Odessa. Rainfall was around 2 to 5 inches across the area and the maximum water level was 1.83 ft MHHW at East Bay. Minor tree damage and areas of flooding occured but no significant property damage was reported.

Manatee County - In Manatee County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Elsa was a gust of 54 mph at an ASOS site at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Rainfall was around 2-5 inches across the area and the maximum water level was 1.54 ft MHHW at Port Manatee. Areas of flooding occurred but no significant property damage was reported.

Sarasota County - In Sarasota County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Elsa was a gust of 46 mph at a WeatherStem mesonet site at Palmer Ranch. Rainfall was around 3 to 6 inches across most of the county although amounts of 6 to 10 inches were recorded over southeast parts of the county. No significant property damage was reported although 240 homes were surrounded by water.

Charlotte County - In Charlotte County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Elsa was a gust of 49 mph at a CWOP mesonet site at Punta Gorda. Rainfall was around 3 to 6 inches across the area although amounts of 6 to 10 inches were recorded over western parts of the county. Areas of flooding occurred but no significant property damage was reported.

Lee County - In Lee County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Elsa was a gust of 39 mph at an ASOS site at Page Field Airport. Rainfall was around 3 to 6 inches across the area and the maximum water level was 1.47 ft MHHW at Fort Myers. Areas of flooding occurred but no significant property damage was reported.

Sumter County - In Sumter County there were no tropical storm force winds recorded. Rainfall was around 1 to 3 inches and no significant damage was reported.

Polk County - In Polk County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Elsa was a gust of 41 mph at an ASOS site at Lakeland-Linder International Airport. Rainfall was around 2 to 4 inches across the area and no significant damage was reported.

Hardee County - In Hardee County there were no tropical storm force winds recorded. Rainfall was around 2 to 4 inches. Areas of flooding occurred but no significant property damage was reported.

Desoto County - In DeSoto County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Elsa was a gust of 41 mph at a FAWN mesonet site at Arcadia. Rainfall was around 2 to 5 inches and no significant damage was reported.

Highlands County - In Highlands County there were no tropical storm force winds recorded. Rainfall was around 2 to 4 inches and no significant damage was reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 963872. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.