If you are in the Walt Disney World area today or tomorrow, be aware that Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to arrive later this afternoon as a flood watch has already been issued for Orange County.
Related: Florida Meteorologist Shows Hurricane Elsa Developing Near Disney World
Related: Hurricane Elsa Now Expected to Take a More Direct Path to Florida
The Weather Channel put out the following tropical storm statement:
Tropical Weather Statement until TUE 12:00 PM EDT
1 of 2
Action Recommended
Attend to information sources as described in the instructions
Issued By
Melbourne – FL, US, National Weather Service
Affected Area
Orange County
Description
This product covers East Central Florida
**TROPICAL STORM ELSA NEAR KEY WEST AND THE DRY TORTUGAS*
NEW INFORMATION —————
CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: – None
CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: – A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Northern Lake and Southern Lake Counties.
STORM INFORMATION: – About 330 miles south of Leesburg FL – 24.1N 82.4W – Storm Intensity 60 mph – Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 12 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW ——————
Related: How a Hurricane or Tropical Storm May Impact Your Disney Trip
Tropical Storm Elsa is continuing on its path as the Weather Channel warns Floridians that the strongest impacts should begin late this afternoon through early Wednesday morning:
Tropical Storm Elsa continues to move north-northwest near Key West and the Dry Tortugas early this morning. Elsa will turn north later today and move parallel to the Florida west coast through this evening, then turn north-northeast and make landfall as a strong tropical storm near the Florida Big Bend late Wednesday morning. Elsa will cross north Florida and move well away from central Florida by early Wednesday afternoon.
On its current track, Elsa’s strongest impacts will begin to be felt across east central Florida from late this afternoon through early Wednesday morning as the system moves northward and parallel to the Florida west coast.
Stronger squalls from Elsa’s outer rain bands will overspread the Treasure Coast and Lake Okeechobee region by mid day. Rain bands will increase in coverage and intensity as they spread north across all of east central through this afternoon and overnight into early Wednesday morning. Winds will gust to Tropical Storm force in most rain bands and squalls, and 50 to 60 mph in the most intense squalls.
The announcement continued to explain that there has been a flood watch issued for several counties, including Orange County:
Conditions will also become increasingly favorable for tornadoes to develop within fast moving squalls embedded within rain bands over the entire Florida peninsula starting later today and continuing into Wednesday morning. The greatest threat for tornadoes to develop across east central Florida will be from sunset this evening to a few hours after sunrise Wednesday.
A Flood Watch has been issued for Lake, Seminole, Orange and inland Volusia Counties. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected in the watch area, with isolated amounts to around 6 inches. Outside of the watch area, rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected, with local amounts to around 4 inches or so. The highest totals are expected closest to the track of Elsa’s center, across and adjacent to Lake County.
A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Lake County, where the highest potential exists for sustained tropical storm force winds up to 40 mph. Stronger wind gusts well above tropical storm force are most likely across this area as well.
If you are visiting Walt Disney World today or tomorrow, please keep an eye on Tropical Storm Elsa as it could impact your vacation. Walt Disney World is also monitoring Elsa as they have already added hurricane meals to many of the menus. They will continue to make any necessary changes to its operations.
Inside the Magic will update you as we get information regarding Tropical Storm Elsa.
Have you ever been to Florida during a tropical storm? Let us know in the comments below.