Photo: NOAA 7.6.21 at 8a ET
Elsa is making the approach to Florida’s gulf coast as a strong tropical storm. The National Hurricane Center anticipates slight strengthening throughout the day with an anticipated landfall in the panhandle north of Tampa tomorrow morning. Elsa has the potential to spawn tornadoes and isolated flooding throughout South Florida today.
In other news, the death toll in the Champlain Towers South collapse has risen to 28 while 117 people remain unaccounted for. Search and recovery efforts continued Monday after the demolition of the remaining structure left standing after the collapse. Crews continue to work around the clock.
Furthermore, numerous reports from real-estate experts show demand for Florida’s high-rise condos is weakening. Especially older buildings which share similarities to Champlain Towers South.
Lastly, Florida’s weekly COVID-19 report showed an increase in daily cases last week. Through Saturday, Florida averaged just over 2,000 new daily cases, the highest average since May. Based on the most recent CDC reporting, approximately 64% of Floridians 18 and older have been vaccinated with at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with 54% being fully vaccinated.