Timeline of Hurricane Elsa's impacts on Tampa Bay

Timeline of Hurricane Elsa's impacts on Tampa Bay

Hurricane Elsa is continuing to strengthen as it tracks toward Florida. Conditions will continue to deteriorate through the night, with the southern parts of the area seeing the worst impacts first. Here's what the west coast of Florida and the Tampa Bay area can expect as that happens.

Hurricane Elsa is continuing to strengthen as it tracks toward Florida. Conditions will continue to deteriorate through the night, with the southern parts of the area seeing the worst impacts first. Here's what the west coast of Florida and the Tampa Bay area can expect as that happens.

County by county: Tropical Storm Elsa emergency information

County by county: Tropical Storm Elsa emergency information

Tropical Storm Elsa is forecast to pass close to the Tampa Bay area and may strengthen to a hurricane before that time. Many Tampa Bay area counties are issuing emergency orders.

Tropical Storm Elsa is forecast to pass close to the Tampa Bay area and may strengthen to a hurricane before that time. Many Tampa Bay area counties are issuing emergency orders.

Tropical Storm Elsa weakens over Cuba but warnings issued for Florida

Tropical Storm Elsa weakens over Cuba but warnings issued for Florida

Tropical Storm Elsa crossed Cuba late Monday and had emerged back over water in the Gulf of Mexico, where conditions may allow the ragged system to organize and strengthen before hitting Florida.

Tropical Storm Elsa crossed Cuba late Monday and had emerged back over water in the Gulf of Mexico, where conditions may allow the ragged system to organize and strengthen before hitting Florida.

Tropical Storm Elsa tracks toward Cuba; watch issued for Tampa Bay coast

Tropical Storm Elsa tracks toward Cuba; watch issued for Tampa Bay coast

Tropical Storm Elsa slowed down and weakened Sunday, but forecasters are confident enough that the storm will turn north that they've issued a tropical storm watch for much of Florida's west coast.

Tropical Storm Elsa slowed down and weakened Sunday, but forecasters are confident enough that the storm will turn north that they've issued a tropical storm watch for much of Florida's west coast.

Tropical Storm Watch issued for Florida Keys; state still in storm's uncertain path

Tropical Storm Watch issued for Florida Keys; state still in storm's uncertain path

A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for portions of the Florida Keys as Tropical Storm Elsa, which was downgraded from a hurricane late Saturday morning, makes its way toward the state.

A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for portions of the Florida Keys as Tropical Storm Elsa, which was downgraded from a hurricane late Saturday morning, makes its way toward the state.

Tropical Storm Elsa leaves 3 dead in Caribbean

Tropical Storm Elsa leaves 3 dead in Caribbean

The storm was centered about 140 miles (225 kilometers) east of Kingston, Jamaica, and was speeding west-northwest at 23 mph (37 kph).

The storm was centered about 140 miles (225 kilometers) east of Kingston, Jamaica, and was speeding west-northwest at 23 mph (37 kph).

Hurricane Elsa forecast to approach Florida, but long-term track uncertain

Hurricane Elsa forecast to approach Florida, but long-term track uncertain

Hurricane Elsa's forecast continues to be uncertain beyond a few days. Some models bring it west into the Gulf of Mexico; others suggest it will take a more eastern path. Nearly all of Florida is in the forecast cone.

Hurricane Elsa's forecast continues to be uncertain beyond a few days. Some models bring it west into the Gulf of Mexico; others suggest it will take a more eastern path. Nearly all of Florida is in the forecast cone.

Tropical Storm Elsa forms as fifth named storm of hurricane season

Tropical Storm Elsa forms as fifth named storm of hurricane season

While Tropical Storm Elsa officially formed Thursday morning, it’s still too soon to determine what – if any – impacts could happen next week for Florida. Elsa is the earliest fifth named storm on record for the Atlantic hurricane season.

While Tropical Storm Elsa officially formed Thursday morning, it’s still too soon to determine what – if any – impacts could happen next week for Florida. Elsa is the earliest fifth named storm on record for the Atlantic hurricane season.