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Gov. Kemp issues a state of emergency for 92 Georgia counties ahead of Elsa

By Severe Weather Team 2
By Severe Weather Team 2

ATLANTA — Gov. Kemp has issued a state of emergency for many coastal and south Georgia counties. This order was issued as Elsa strengthens and threatens parts of Georgia. The executive order issued by Kemp covers 92 counties.

For a full list of the counties and to see the executive order please click here.

Elsa regained strength and became a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday night. As of 3 a.m. Wednesday, it weakened back to a tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is moving north across Florida but its impact will soon be felt along the Georgia coast.

We’ll bring you the latest timing on Tropical Storm Elsa and will have LIVE coverage from Florida on Channel 2 Action News This Morning.

Severe Weather Team 2 chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns said the storm was expected to become a hurricane before making landfall in western Florida.

“Things are going to deteriorate rapidly near Tampa as we move through the evening,” Burns said.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brad Nitz is in Treasure Island, Fla. A Hurricane Warning has been for that area. Nitz says there are gusty winds and showers but there will be a storm surge that could lead to some costal flooding. He says residents there are bracing for heavy rains and potential tornadoes as well.

Airports in Tampa and Sarasota have suspended flights this evening.

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A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the Georgia coast near Savannah and a Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect in Glynn County.

What you need to know:

  • Elsa moves in to south Georgia Wednesday afternoon
  • The worst weather will be in coastal Georgia
  • Rain will linger through Friday

[INTERACTIVE: StormTracker 2HD Radar]

Channel 2′s Tony Thomas is in Jacksonville and will move north along the Georgia coast as the storm approaches.

Across northeast Florida and south Georgia some residents are using sand bags to protect their property. The same area got hit hard during Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Officials in Glynn County are telling people that they could see the impact of Tropical Storm Elsa as early as Wednesday morning but they should be spared a storm surge.

Stay with Channel 2 Action News as we track Tropical Storm Elsa. We have crews on the Gulf coast and the Georgia coast and will take you live as the storm arrives.

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Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa slams Caribbean, churns toward Florida Wind moves the grass and palm trees under a cloudy sky after the passage of Tropical Storm Elsa in Havana, Cuba, Monday, July 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)


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