Tropical storm Elsa continues to be a tropical storm as it continues to bring rain and gusty winds to the Yanks in New England and transition to becoming extratropical. Here’s the latest impact swath using the TAOS/TC model “plain language” impact scale:
The official word from Environment Canada is at this link. The short version is that major impacts are not expected – some gusty winds potentially up to 60/70kph tonight and tomorrow. The biggest problem may be more rain on top of what has already fallen from another system, up to 100mm of additional rain. Waves up to 4 meters offshore and rough surf along the exposed coastal areas.
Yesterday’s damage surveys across the south revealed typical minimal tropical storm kinds of impacts. Some details for the coastal GA/SC area are below. As a reminder, Elsa caused more significant impacts across the Caribbean, albeit nothing catastrophic compared to storms of recent years. While perhaps not directly related, the political turmoil in Haiti is in part a result of the interaction of natural disasters such as the horrific 2010 earthquake and human failures of governance both local and from the international community and NGO’s. It’s a complex situation with a lot of history. For a depressing but informative read on Haiti’s post-earthquake recovery “Charlie Foxtrot“, I highly recommend “The Big Truck that Went By” by Jonathan Katz.
For those in the Savannah/SC Low Country, the local Weather Service Office in Charleston has compiled a list of rain totals and wind reports for the storm if you’re curious. Below is the preliminary local storm report summary.
NWUS52 KCHS 081343
LSRCHS
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
943 AM EDT THU JUL 08 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1015 PM TROPICAL STORM 1 W WILMINGTON ISLAND 32.01N 81.00W
07/07/2021 CHATHAM GA PUBLIC
WIND GUST OF 43 KNOTS.
1027 PM TROPICAL STORM SAVANNAH AIRPORT 32.13N 81.20W
07/07/2021 CHATHAM GA ASOS
WIND GUSTED TO 38 KNOTS.
1032 PM TROPICAL STORM 1 SSW TYBEE ISLAND 31.99N 80.85W
07/07/2021 CHATHAM GA MESONET
THE WEATHERFLOW SITE ON THE SOUTH END OF TYBEE ISLAND
MEASURED A 36 KNOTS.
1034 PM TROPICAL STORM 1 N TYBEE ISLAND 32.02N 80.84W
07/07/2021 CHATHAM GA MESONET
WIND GUSTED TO 34 KNOTS.
1040 PM TROPICAL STORM 4 WNW SPRINGFIELD 32.40N 81.43W
07/07/2021 EFFINGHAM GA EMERGENCY MNGR
MULTIPLE TREES DOWN, HIGHWAY 17 AND PORTER ROAD. TIME
ESTIMATED.
1044 PM TROPICAL STORM 2 WNW STILLWELL 32.39N 81.29W
07/07/2021 EFFINGHAM GA EMERGENCY MNGR
AN EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED SIDING DAMAGE TO A HOUSE,
ALONG WITH SEPARATE SHED DAMAGE ON THE 200 BLOCK OF WOOD
DUCK WAY. TIME WAS ESTIMATED VIA RADAR DATA.
1047 PM TROPICAL STORM 1 SSW TYBEE ISLAND 31.99N 80.85W
07/07/2021 CHATHAM GA MESONET
WIND GUST TO 45 KNOTS.
1048 PM TROPICAL STORM 6 WSW FOREST BEACH 32.11N 80.84W
07/07/2021 AMZ352 SC MESONET
WIND GUST TO 34 KNOTS.
1049 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 WNW STILLWELL 32.39N 81.29W
07/07/2021 EFFINGHAM GA EMERGENCY MNGR
*** 1 INJ *** SIDING RIPPED FROM A HOUSE AND SHED
DAMAGE IN EAGLETON PLANTATION. TREE DAMAGE ALONG ROUTE
119. A VEHICLE RAN INTO A DOWNED TREE ON ROUTE 119 WHERE
THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
RADAR. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
1050 PM TROPICAL STORM 22 ESE RACCCON BLUFF 31.40N 80.87W
07/07/2021 AMZ354 GA BUOY
WIND GUST TO 40 KNOTS.
1100 PM HEAVY RAIN GLENNVILLE 31.94N 81.93W
07/07/2021 M3.50 INCH TATTNALL GA AMATEUR RADIO
STORM TOTAL OF 3.5 INCHES OF RAIN.
1102 PM TROPICAL STORM 1 SSW TYBEE ISLAND 31.99N 80.85W
07/07/2021 CHATHAM GA MESONET
WIND GUST TO 65 KNOTS.
1102 PM TROPICAL STORM 1 WSW RIVERSIDE 32.04N 81.02W
07/07/2021 CHATHAM GA BROADCAST MEDIA
MEDIA RELAYED REPORT OF LARGE TREE DOWN ON JOHNNY
MERCER BOULEVARD NEAR LONG POINT NEIGHBORHOOD.
1108 PM TROPICAL STORM 1 N TYBEE ISLAND 32.02N 80.84W
07/07/2021 CHATHAM GA MESONET
WIND GUST TO 45 KNOTS.
1113 PM TROPICAL STORM 6 WSW FOREST BEACH 32.11N 80.84W
07/07/2021 AMZ352 SC MESONET
WIND GUST TO 70 KNOTS.
1151 PM TSTM WND DMG PORT ROYAL 32.38N 80.69W
07/07/2021 BEAUFORT SC EMERGENCY MNGR
MULTIPLE TREES DOWN, TREES ON HOUSES, POWER LINES DOWN,
AND POWER OUTAGES. DAMAGE EXTENDED ACROSS THE RIVER INTO
BURTON. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
1155 PM TROPICAL STORM HILTON HEAD AIRPORT 32.23N 80.69W
07/07/2021 BEAUFORT SC AWOS
WIND GUST TO 38 KNOTS.
1215 AM TROPICAL STORM 2 SW FRIPP ISLAND 32.31N 80.49W
07/08/2021 BEAUFORT SC MESONET
MEASURED WIND GUST OF 46 KNOTS OR 53 MPH.
1216 AM TROPICAL STORM MARINE CORPS AIR STATIO 32.49N 80.70W
07/08/2021 BEAUFORT SC ASOS
WIND GUST TO 35 KNOTS.
1220 AM TROPICAL STORM 6 E PARRIS ISLAND 32.34N 80.59W
07/08/2021 BEAUFORT SC MESONET
WIND GUST TO 35 KNOTS.
1245 AM HEAVY RAIN 8 NNE FORT STEWART 31.97N 81.46W
07/08/2021 M3.75 INCH BRYAN GA OTHER FEDERAL
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE USGS GAUGE LOCATED ON THE
CANOOCHEE RIVER AT FORT STEWART.
1250 AM TROPICAL STORM 1 E RAVENEL 32.77N 80.23W
07/08/2021 CHARLESTON SC BROADCAST MEDIA
TV MEDIA REPORTED TREE DOWN ON A FENCE AND HOUSE ON
MARTIN ST IN RAVENEL.
1250 AM TROPICAL STORM 6 W FOREST BEACH 32.14N 80.84W
07/08/2021 BEAUFORT SC SOCIAL MEDIA
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN AT HAIG POINT ON DAUFUSKIE ISLAND.
1253 AM TROPICAL STORM 5 ESE FRIPP ISLAND 32.28N 80.41W
07/08/2021 AMZ352 SC BUOY
WIND GUST TO 40 KNOTS.
1255 AM TROPICAL STORM 3 NW ADAMS RUN 32.75N 80.38W
07/08/2021 CHARLESTON SC BROADCAST MEDIA
VIEWER REPORTED A TREE DOWN ON MITCHELL ROAD.
0100 AM HEAVY RAIN 4 2 MELDRIM 32.08N 81.38W
07/08/2021 M3.05 INCH CHATHAM GA OTHER FEDERAL
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE USGS GAUGE LOCATED ON THE
OGEECHEE RIVER NEAR ELLABELL.
0102 AM TSTM WND DMG 2 NW EDISTO ISLAND 32.58N 80.30W
07/08/2021 CHARLESTON SC STORM CHASER
LARGE TREES DOWN BLOCKING HIGHWAY 174 AT STEAMBOAT
LANDING ROAD. LIKELY A TORNADO DUE TO RADAR DEBRIS
SIGNATURE. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
0104 AM HEAVY RAIN 2 SSW MIDWAY 31.78N 81.44W
07/08/2021 M3.24 INCH LIBERTY GA MESONET
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE RAWS SITE NEAR MIDWAY.
0130 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 ESE BLICHTON 32.19N 81.42W
07/08/2021 M3.39 INCH EFFINGHAM GA OTHER FEDERAL
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE USGS GAUGE LOCATED ON THE
OGEECHEE RIVER NEAR EDEN.
0203 AM TROPICAL STORM CHARLESTON AIRPORT 32.90N 80.04W
07/08/2021 CHARLESTON SC ASOS
WIND GUST TO 41 KNOTS.
0211 AM TROPICAL STORM 4 ESE CHARLESTON 32.75N 79.87W
07/08/2021 AMZ330 SC MESONET
WIND GUST TO 34 KNOTS.
0213 AM TROPICAL STORM 3 SSE WEST ASHLEY 32.76N 80.00W
07/08/2021 CHARLESTON SC BROADCAST MEDIA
MEDIA REPORTED LARGE TREE BRANCHES DOWN AND BLOCKING
WAPPOO DR AT HINSON AVE ON JAMES ISLAND. TIME ESTIMATED
VIA RADAR DATA.
0215 AM HEAVY RAIN 4 N RIVERSIDE 32.10N 81.01W
07/08/2021 M5.67 INCH JASPER SC OTHER FEDERAL
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE USGS GAUGE LOCATED ON THE
SAVANNAH RIVER NEAR ELBA ISLAND.
0215 AM HEAVY RAIN 2 N SAVANNAH 32.08N 81.08W
07/08/2021 M3.76 INCH CHATHAM GA OTHER FEDERAL
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE USGS GAUGE LOCATED ON THE
SAVANNAH RIVER NEAR HUTCHINSON ISLAND.
0220 AM TROPICAL STORM 2 NE KIAWAH ISLAND 32.62N 80.06W
07/08/2021 CHARLESTON SC MESONET
WIND GUST TO 37 KNOTS.
0220 AM TROPICAL STORM 2 NNW CHARLESTON 32.81N 79.96W
07/08/2021 CHARLESTON SC SOCIAL MEDIA
LARGE TREE LIMB SNAPPED OFF IN FRONT OF A HOME IN
WAGENER TERRACE.
0223 AM HEAVY RAIN 3 N SAVANNAH 32.10N 81.08W
07/08/2021 M3.10 INCH CHATHAM GA MESONET
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE SAVANNAH NWR RAWS SITE.
0230 AM HEAVY RAIN 4 ENE PORT WENTWORTH 32.17N 81.12W
07/08/2021 M3.14 INCH JASPER SC OTHER FEDERAL
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE USGS GAUGE ON THE SAVANNAH
RIVER NEAR LIMEHOUSE.
0230 AM HEAVY RAIN 4 E MONTEITH 32.19N 81.12W
07/08/2021 M3.18 INCH CHATHAM GA OTHER FEDERAL
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE USGS GAUGE LOCATED ON THE
SAVANNAH RIVER NEAR LIMEHOUSE.
0230 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 ENE MERIDIAN 31.45N 81.36W
07/08/2021 M3.74 INCH MCINTOSH GA OTHER FEDERAL
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE USGS GAUGE LOCATED AT HUDSON
CREEK NEAR MERIDIAN.
0245 AM HEAVY RAIN 5 SE VALONA 31.42N 81.29W
07/08/2021 M5.08 INCH MCINTOSH GA OFFICIAL NWS OBS
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE NERRS GAUGE LOCATED AT THE
SOUTH END OF SAPELO ISLAND.
0256 AM TROPICAL STORM 4 ESE CHARLESTON 32.75N 79.87W
07/08/2021 AMZ330 SC MESONET
WIND GUST OF 42 KNOTS.
0300 AM TROPICAL STORM 2 ENE SEABROOK ISLAND 32.60N 80.07W
07/08/2021 CHARLESTON SC MESONET
WIND GUST TO 43 KNOTS.
0300 AM TROPICAL STORM 2 NE CHARLESTON 32.80N 79.91W
07/08/2021 AMZ330 SC MESONET
WIND GUST TO 40 KNOTS.
0300 AM TROPICAL STORM 2 NE FOLLY BEACH 32.68N 79.89W
07/08/2021 CHARLESTON SC MESONET
WIND GUST TO 34 KNOTS.
0300 AM HEAVY RAIN 4 NW TYBEE ISLAND 32.03N 80.91W
07/08/2021 M4.47 INCH CHATHAM GA OTHER FEDERAL
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE USGS GAUGE AT FORT PULASKI.
0308 AM TROPICAL STORM 5 ESE FRIPP ISLAND 32.28N 80.41W
07/08/2021 AMZ352 SC BUOY
WIND GUST TO 42 KNOTS.
0338 AM TROPICAL STORM 5 ESE DEWEES ISLAND 32.81N 79.63W
07/08/2021 AMZ350 SC BUOY
WIND GUST TO 40 KNOTS.
0356 AM HEAVY RAIN MARINE CORPS AIR STATIO 32.49N 80.70W
07/08/2021 M4.20 INCH BEAUFORT SC ASOS
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE ASOS SITE AT BEAUFORT MCAS.
0400 AM HEAVY RAIN 5 SW ADAMS RUN 32.66N 80.40W
07/08/2021 M4.62 INCH CHARLESTON SC MESONET
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE RAWS SITE IN THE ACE BASIN.
0455 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 S SHADOWMOSS 32.83N 80.07W
07/08/2021 M4.05 INCH CHARLESTON SC MESONET
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE RIVER/RAIN GAUGE LOCATED ON
CHURCH CREEK IN WEST ASHLEY.
0518 AM HEAVY RAIN CHARLESTON AIRPORT 32.90N 80.04W
07/08/2021 M4.12 INCH CHARLESTON SC ASOS
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE ASOS SITE AT THE CHARLESTON
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
0520 AM HEAVY RAIN 2 WNW MOUNT PLEASANT 32.80N 79.90W
07/08/2021 M3.43 INCH CHARLESTON SC MESONET
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM A RAIN GAUGE LOCATED NEAR MOUNT
PLEASANT WATERFRONT PARK.
0525 AM HEAVY RAIN 2 SE DANIEL ISLAND 32.86N 79.88W
07/08/2021 M3.45 INCH CHARLESTON SC MESONET
ELSA STORM TOTAL FROM THE RIVER/RAIN GAUGE LOCATED ON
RATHALL CREEK.
&&
Enki Research 
Our Rain Gage in Okatie, SC recorded 5.12 inches of rain overnight.
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