Elsa makes landfall as tropical storm in Florida

Tropical Storm Elsa made landfall in Florida as a tropical storm after officials predicted it would become a Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday.

The National Hurricane Center said Elsa hit north Florida’s Taylor County with speeds up to 65 miles per hour.

Tropical Storm #Elsa Advisory 30: Center of Elsa Making Landfall in Taylor County Along the North Florida Gulf Coast. https://t.co/VqHn0u1vgc

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) July 7, 2021

“Clearly, this could have been worse,” Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said in a morning press conference, The Associated Press reported.

DeSantis previously said Elsa was expected to be a hurricane when it reached land, but the system weakened hours before making landfall. 

This is the second time Elsa had become a hurricane and then was downgraded to a tropical storm. 

The hurricane warning placed on many areas has been lifted, but flash flooding and power outages are still expected in the state. 

“We’re fortunate to see minimal damage & flooding this morning, but it’s important to keep safety top of mind,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (D) tweeted Wednesday.

Good Morning, @CityofTampa!

We’re fortunate to see minimal damage & flooding this morning, but it’s important to keep safety top of mind. Be aware of your surroundings & don’t drive through flood waters. pic.twitter.com/ztvBlzsmUU

— Jane Castor (@JaneCastor) July 7, 2021

There are 26,000 customers without power in Tampa, DeSantis said.

Elsa did not directly hit the Key West, although flooding and power outages affected the area, but a boat capsized and nine people are still missing. 

The storm has also impeded search and rescue efforts happening at a Surfside, Fla., condo building that collapsed