Tropical Storm Elsa is over Southern Georgia, producing gusty winds along the Atlantic coast as well as very heavy rain, the National Hurricane Center tweeted.
7 p.m. update
Tropical Storm Elsa weakened but still brought rain and wind to the Tampa Bay area.
See photos below:
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Pedestrians dash across the intersection of Greene and Duval streets as heavy winds and rain associated with Tropical Storm Elsa passes Key West, Fla., on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Rob O'Neal/The Key West Citizen via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Determined visitors head for Sloppy Joe's Bar while crossing a flooded Duval Street as heavy winds and rain pass over Key West, Fla., Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Rob O'Neal/The Key West Citizen via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Looking north at the neighborhood of Paradise Island on Treasure Island, Fla., outer bands of Tropical Storm Elsa brings a downpour of rain over the area on Tuesday afternoon, July 6, 2021. (Marc Topkin/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Stelios Uzunbylu, left, and Jerry Kalouris, right, secure a tarp over a cargo hold on his sponge boat on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, on Dodecanese Boulevard at the Tarpon Springs, Fla., Sponge Docks where businesses were being closed and boats were being prepared for the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Shawn Frazier, 61, reinforces tarps over his Tampa home's roof ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Frazier said there was some leaking he caught during a recent rainy day. (Ivy Ceballo/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Jonathan Hines, left, catches a sandbag tossed by Jovan Williams, both with the City of St. Petersburg Stormwater Department, as they work along with 15-20 other employees to load up cars at the sandbag distribution site in the parking lot of the James "JC" Turner Fields, Tuesday, July 6, 2021 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Athos Karistinos, 13, center, and his brother, Anastasios Karistinos, 16, emerge from their family's gift shop, Sponge Diver Supply, after helping their father fortify the windows and doors at the business on Dodecanese Boulevard at the Tarpon Springs, Fla., Sponge Docks on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, where residents and business owners were preparing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida People walk past sand bags placed at the entrance of a restaurant to prevent flooding as Tropical Storm Elsa moves northward toward the Tampa Bay area on July 6, 2021, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States. (Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Melissa Loven, Qi Crystal Energy shop owner, left, and Crea Egan, right, prepare the store ahead of tropical storm Elsa Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (John Pendygraft/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida A red flag hangs from a lifeguard station just south of the collapsed Champlain Towers South condominium building where rescue crews continue to work, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Miami Beach, Fla. The search effort faced new threats from severe weather with Tropical Storm Elsa. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida A hotel worker stacks beach furniture as Tropical Storm Elsa moves northward toward the Tampa Bay area on July 6, 2021, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States. Storm is expected to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane early Wednesday morning. (Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Tim Mullen, 47, and Michael Brissette, 11, cover their windows with hurricane shutters in preparation for Tropical Storm Elsa, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (Arielle Bader/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Foot traffic was sparse and most businesses closed by late Tuesday, July 6, 2021, on Dodecanese Boulevard at the Tarpon Springs, Fla., Sponge Docks where building were being prepared for the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida A man walks past sand bags placed at the entrance of a store to prevent flooding as Tropical Storm Elsa moves northward toward the Tampa Bay area on July 6, 2021, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States. Storm is expected to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane early Wednesday morning. (Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida John Jelkl, 71, has his wheel chair loaded down with sandbags as he leaves the sandbagging site in the parking lot of the James "JC" Turner Fields, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida A sign at Tampa International Airport advises motorists of the closing of the airport from 5 p.m. until 10 a.m as Tropical Storm Elsa moves northward toward the Tampa Bay area on July 6, 2021, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States. (Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Canceled flights are displayed on a screen at Tampa International Airport shortly before the airport closed at 5 p.m. as Tropical Storm Elsa moves northward toward the Tampa Bay area on July 6, 2021, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States. (Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Flight cancellations seen on a board at Tampa International Airport's cell phone waiting lot on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (Ivy Ceballo/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
5:30 p.m. update
As of 5 p.m., Tropical Storm Elsa has weakened again with 45 mph max winds and should weaken further to a tropical depression by tomorrow.
Channel 9 meteorologist George Waldenberger said as it moves into Georgia, the storm is still bringing flooding to north Florida and south Georgia and a tornado risk remains around Jacksonville.
Waldenberger said he is still watching a heavy rain threat for our northern zones of Central Florida.
The city of North Port in Sarasota County said water levels have receded since Tropical Storm Elsa dropped up to a foot of rain in the city causing some streets to flood.
City officials said there were no reports of damage to any homes or structures.
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Pedestrians dash across the intersection of Greene and Duval streets as heavy winds and rain associated with Tropical Storm Elsa passes Key West, Fla., on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Rob O'Neal/The Key West Citizen via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Determined visitors head for Sloppy Joe's Bar while crossing a flooded Duval Street as heavy winds and rain pass over Key West, Fla., Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Rob O'Neal/The Key West Citizen via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Looking north at the neighborhood of Paradise Island on Treasure Island, Fla., outer bands of Tropical Storm Elsa brings a downpour of rain over the area on Tuesday afternoon, July 6, 2021. (Marc Topkin/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Stelios Uzunbylu, left, and Jerry Kalouris, right, secure a tarp over a cargo hold on his sponge boat on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, on Dodecanese Boulevard at the Tarpon Springs, Fla., Sponge Docks where businesses were being closed and boats were being prepared for the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Shawn Frazier, 61, reinforces tarps over his Tampa home's roof ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Frazier said there was some leaking he caught during a recent rainy day. (Ivy Ceballo/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Jonathan Hines, left, catches a sandbag tossed by Jovan Williams, both with the City of St. Petersburg Stormwater Department, as they work along with 15-20 other employees to load up cars at the sandbag distribution site in the parking lot of the James "JC" Turner Fields, Tuesday, July 6, 2021 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Athos Karistinos, 13, center, and his brother, Anastasios Karistinos, 16, emerge from their family's gift shop, Sponge Diver Supply, after helping their father fortify the windows and doors at the business on Dodecanese Boulevard at the Tarpon Springs, Fla., Sponge Docks on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, where residents and business owners were preparing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida People walk past sand bags placed at the entrance of a restaurant to prevent flooding as Tropical Storm Elsa moves northward toward the Tampa Bay area on July 6, 2021, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States. (Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Melissa Loven, Qi Crystal Energy shop owner, left, and Crea Egan, right, prepare the store ahead of tropical storm Elsa Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (John Pendygraft/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida A red flag hangs from a lifeguard station just south of the collapsed Champlain Towers South condominium building where rescue crews continue to work, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Miami Beach, Fla. The search effort faced new threats from severe weather with Tropical Storm Elsa. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida A hotel worker stacks beach furniture as Tropical Storm Elsa moves northward toward the Tampa Bay area on July 6, 2021, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States. Storm is expected to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane early Wednesday morning. (Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Tim Mullen, 47, and Michael Brissette, 11, cover their windows with hurricane shutters in preparation for Tropical Storm Elsa, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (Arielle Bader/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Foot traffic was sparse and most businesses closed by late Tuesday, July 6, 2021, on Dodecanese Boulevard at the Tarpon Springs, Fla., Sponge Docks where building were being prepared for the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida A man walks past sand bags placed at the entrance of a store to prevent flooding as Tropical Storm Elsa moves northward toward the Tampa Bay area on July 6, 2021, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States. Storm is expected to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane early Wednesday morning. (Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida John Jelkl, 71, has his wheel chair loaded down with sandbags as he leaves the sandbagging site in the parking lot of the James "JC" Turner Fields, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida A sign at Tampa International Airport advises motorists of the closing of the airport from 5 p.m. until 10 a.m as Tropical Storm Elsa moves northward toward the Tampa Bay area on July 6, 2021, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States. (Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Canceled flights are displayed on a screen at Tampa International Airport shortly before the airport closed at 5 p.m. as Tropical Storm Elsa moves northward toward the Tampa Bay area on July 6, 2021, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States. (Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photos: Tropical Storm Elsa takes aim at Florida Flight cancellations seen on a board at Tampa International Airport's cell phone waiting lot on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (Ivy Ceballo/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
2 p.m. update
Tropical Storm Elsa continues to weaken as of 2 p.m. with max winds now down to 50 mph as it moves over north Florida toward the Georgia state line.
Channel 9 meteorologist George Waldenberger said trailing bands of rain will continue to bring us a risk of isolated heavy rain in spots for the rest of the day.
Elsa is forecast to move inland into Florida this afternoon.
Weather officials said the storm should then move across the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States through Thursday.
Meteorologists believe Elsa will begin to weaken once it moves further inland.
9:30 a.m. update
Channel 9 reporter Q McCray said the rain has been on and off in Dunnellon.
He said police offers are making their rounds to make sure residents are alright.
So far, there is no damage reported in the area.
8:30 a.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis: no reports of major damage or reports of any fatalities. Utility crews are on stand-by to respond to areas impacted by power outages mostly in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Polk County.
8:15 a.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis is preparing to give an update on Tropical Storm Elsa.
Tropical Storm Elsa is approaching the northern Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center said.
Elsa is expected to makelandfall along the north Florida Gulf coast by late Wednesday morning or Wednesday afternoon.
The storm’s winds remain near 65 mph, with higher gusts.
Forecasters said little change in strength is likely until the storm makes landfall.
The storm is forecast to weaken after it makes landfall later Wednesday.
Rain bands from Tropical Storm Elsa will continue to move northward across Central Florida.
7:10 a.m. update
Tropical Storm Elsa brought heavy rain to Leesburg early Wednesday.
Weather officials reported 1.58 inches or rain. The previous record was 1.54 inches, which was set in 1982.
6:40 a.m. update
Channel 9 reporter Lauren Seabrook said there was no reports of wind damage or flooding in Lake County at this time.
A few power outages were reported.
The potential for a brief tornado is still possible until 8 a.m.
6:15 a.m. update
Tropical storm-force winds were reported in Lake County. There were also reports of at least 30 mph gusts in western Orange County.
In Marion County, officials said there are no reports of storm damage after tornado warnings were issued in the area early Wednesday.
5 a.m. update
Tropical Storm Elsa continues to move along Florida’s west coast.
The storm is forecast to move near or over portions of the west coast of Florida on Wednesday morning. It is expected to make landfall along the north Florida Gulf coast by late Wednesday morning or Wednesday afternoon.
The storm’s winds are nearing 65 mph.
The storm could fluctuate in intensity until it makes landfall, the National Hurricane Center said.
Elsa’s strongest rain band is moving through parts of Central Florida. The feeder band is bringing heavy rainfall and prompting some tornado warnings.
Tornado warnings were issued in Lake and Marion counties early Wednesday. All tornado warnings have expired at this time.
Elsa is forecast to weaken after it moves inland.
4:35 a.m. update
A tornado warning was issued in parts of Marion County. The warning includes parts of Micanopy, McIntosh and Orange Lake.
The warning is set to expire at 5 a.m.
4:20 a.m. update
A tornado warning was issued for parts of Lake County.
The warning includes areas in Taveres, Bassville Park and Sunnyside. The warning is set to expire at 4:45 a.m.
4:10 a.m. update
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for parts of Marion County, including Micanopy, Reddick and McIntosh.
The warning is set to expire at 4:30 a.m.
3 a.m. update
A tornado watch is in effect for Sumter, Polk, Marion, Osceola, Lake, Seminole and Orange counties until 8 a.m.
“Isolated tornadoes will be our biggest risk this morning, once some of the bands from Elsa move in.” meteorologist Brian Shields said.
Weather officials said conditions remain favorable for tornadoes in Elsa’s outer rain bands over the interior counties and far inland in Volusia County.
Some areas are already seeing gusty rain bands, Shields said.
A flood watch continues for Lake, Seminole, Orange and inland Volusia counties.