BREAKING: Tropical storm Elsa could hit Florida soon, currently PUMMELING Cuba

Tropical storm Elsa landed in Florida after hitting Cuba and traveling across the Florida Straits on Tuesday.

With it came maximum sustained winds of 60 mph 60 miles south-southwest of Key West early Tuesday morning, creating devastating conditions on the Islands. 180,000 Cubans were evacuated due to Elsa and a previous storm, however, the storm traveled parallel to Cuba’s southern coast, causing less than expected damage. The upper Gulf coast is currently under a hurricane watch.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) published warnings of life-threatening storm surges, flooding, and isolated tornadoes. As Elsa moved north at 10 mph, 155 miles south-southwest of Tampa, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph according to the NHC. Forecasts predict the storm will hit Georgia and South Carolina after Florida.

“It’s important that Floridians don’t focus on the cone. Impacts are expected well outside that area,” said Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. Governor DeSantis issued an extended state of emergency, which was already in place due to the recent condo collapse in Surfside. Tropical Storm Elsa is threatening the ongoing recovery efforts following the demolition of the building.