Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to bring heavy rains to the First State along with winds along Delaware's southern coast.
Elsa made landfall in Florida Wednesday. It’s moving up the east coast and is expected to affect Delaware Thursday evening into early Friday.
But National Weather Service Meteorologist Jonathon O’Brien says it won’t likely be as significant of an event as Tropical Storm Isaias was last year.
“The strongest winds are mainly found near and especially to the east of the center. What that’s going to do is it’s going to keep a lot of the higher winds offshore or at least just kind of right along the coast,” said O’Brien. “So when it comes to the wind potential overnight tonight it’s really the coastal areas that we’re most concerned about from the wind, and even there it doesn’t look like this is going to be too significant of a wind event.”
Three tornadoes connected Isaias touched down last summer damaging property in all three Delaware counties and leading to one death.
Elsa will likely bring scattered thunderstorms to Delaware and 35 to 45 mph winds along the coast.
O’Brien says the main concern is still heavy, sustained rain of more than two inches expected in some parts of the state.
“That’s probably going to be the biggest story of this event is the rainfall. The heavy rains—which may be enough to lead to some flash flooding,” he said.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for Sussex County and a flash flood watch for the whole state.
There is also the potential for tornadoes and rip currents but no warnings have been issued.
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency cautions that tropical storms can include tornadoes, high winds and flash flooding with the potential of power outages. The agency urges Delawareans to “plan ahead now and be prepared.”
This story has been updated.
