The approaching storm has forced Florida officials to begin work to demolish the remaining portion of a condo building that collapsed 11 days ago, killing at least 24 with over 120 people missing.
Tornadoes are possible across southern Florida on Monday afternoon and into Tuesday, the Miami-based NHC said in an alert. Cuba's southern coast is forecast to receive a storm surge of up to 5 feet (1.5 m).Įlsa is forecast to continue to approach central Cuba late on Sunday and early Monday, before heading toward the Florida Straits on Monday and pass near the Florida Keys early Tuesday. The NHC said this would result in significant flash flooding and mud slides. The storm will bring 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 cm) of rain to Cuba, with some spots getting up to 15 inches (38 cm). ET (0300 GMT), the NHC said, and heading northwest at 15 mph (24 km/h). This has raised concerns as the country is experiencing a surge of the coronavirus with a transmission rate of more than 10% on Saturday, twice what often triggers a lockdown.Įlsa's center was 165 miles (265 km) east-south-east of Cayo Largo and about 270 miles (440 km) south-east of Havana at 11 p.m. "They evacuated everyone living near the rivers and reservoirs."Īccording to provincial reports, more than 100,000 people have been evacuated in the potential path of the storm, most to homes of family and friends, but thousands also to government shelters.Įvacuations were underway as far west as the capital Havana for fear that rains over the next few days could cause the collapse of dilapidated buildings. "There is not much wind but a lot of rain, even for this area," said homemaker Misladi Pulgar in the foothills of the Sierra Maestra Mountains, inland from Cabo Cruz.
Local forecasters are warning of intense rain for days with the worst in central and perhaps western Cuba. Everyone is in their home or shelters, as we expect it to get worse." "There is a lot of wind and waves of a meter or more," Wilfredo Munoz Lopez, who rents rooms to tourists on Cabo Cruz, said by phone. It had downgraded Elsa from a hurricane on Saturday.Ī hurricane is defined as having winds of at least 75 mph (121 kph). Miami-based NHC said data from an aircraft indicated maximum sustained winds were near 65 miles per hour (100 km per hour) with higher gusts. Elsa had arrived earlier in the day in eastern Cuba, whipping palms with strong winds and bringing a steady downpour along parts of the southern coast.
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