UPDATE – 7/7/21 – 11:05 PM: The National Weather Service recently announced the Tropical Storm Watch in St. Mary’s County is now a Tropical Storm Warning.
A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours. The peak wind forecast is approximated to reach 10-20 mph, with gusts of up to 30 mph. Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph is being projected.
Flash Flood Watch is also in effect:
– Peak Rainfall Estimated Amounts: 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts.
We will continue to provide weather updates as we receive them.
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BALTIMORE, Md. – As Tropical Storm Elsa makes landfall in Florida, associated impacts for parts of our area are possible Thursday Night. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties and surrounding waters.
TROPICAL STORM WATCH IN EFFECT…
A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours
**New Tropical Storm Watches Issued for Southern Maryland**
NEW INFORMATION
—————
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Calvert and St. Marys
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Calvert and St. Marys
* STORM INFORMATION:
– About 740 miles southwest of Annapolis MD
– 29.9N 83.6W
– Storm Intensity 65 mph
– Movement North or 360 degrees at 14 mph
* WIND
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind
– Peak Wind Forecast: 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39
to 57 mph
– PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm
force.
– PREPARE: Efforts to protect property should now be
underway. Prepare for limited wind damage.
– ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind
becomes hazardous.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
– Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
– Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees
are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown
over.
– A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within
urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving
conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
– Scattered power and communications outages.
* STORM SURGE
– No storm surge inundation forecast
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Little to no storm
surge flooding
– PLAN: There is little to no threat of storm surge flooding.
Rough surf, coastal erosion, and life-threatening rip
currents are possible.
– PREPARE: Little to no preparations for storm surge flooding
are needed.
– ACT: Follow the instructions of local officials. Monitor
forecasts.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None
– Little to no potential impacts from storm surge flooding.
* FLOODING RAIN
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
– Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 inches, with locally
higher amounts
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for
moderate flooding rain
– PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues
are possible.
– PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area
vulnerable to flooding.
– ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take
action may result in serious injury or loss of life.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
– Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations
and rescues.
– Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with
swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places,
especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams,
creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches overflow.
– Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken
foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas
of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and
poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on
moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow.
Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge
closures.
* TORNADO
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
– Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Tornadoes not expected
– PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms
with gusty winds may still occur.
– PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect
against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest
tornado situation.
– ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None
– Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes.
* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
– http://ready.gov/hurricanes
Hurricane Local Statement
Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory
This product covers Eastern West Virginia, Central and Western Maryland, Northern and Northwestern Virginia, and District of Columbia
SITUATION OVERVIEW
——————
Tropical Storm Elsa will quickly move northeast across the area on
Thursday night, bringing gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and the potential
for isolated tornadoes across southern Maryland.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
—————–
* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
southern Maryland. Potential impacts in this area include:
– Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
– Scattered power and communications outages.
Elsewhere across Eastern West Virginia, Central and Western Maryland,
Northern and Northwestern Virginia, and District of Columbia, little
to no impact is anticipated.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across southern Maryland. Potential impacts include:
– Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
rescues.
– Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals,
arroyos, and ditches overflow.
– Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across southern Maryland.
* TORNADOES:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Eastern West
Virginia, Central and Western Maryland, Northern and Northwestern
Virginia, and District of Columbia.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
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* EVACUATIONS:
WATCH/WARNING PHASE – For those not under evacuation orders, assess
the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location. If
you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do
not relocate, help keep roadways open for those under evacuation
orders.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.
If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, plan to move to safe shelter.
If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to
move to safe shelter on higher ground.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.
There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways
to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
– For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
– For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
– For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org