Tropical Storm Elsa brings strong winds and life-threatening storms as it approaches a landslide off the west coast of Florida

More than four million people in Florida have hurricane warnings as the system weakens to a tropical storm early Wednesday after it turned into a Type 1 hurricane on Tuesday. More than 12 million people in three states are under tropical storm warning.

Florida Gov. Ron Desantis extended his emergency declaration Tuesday as local, state and utility resources continue to prepare for the upcoming storm.

The Florida National Guard has deployed 60 guards to the state emergency operations center and logistics readiness center, according to the police release. It is ready to carry additional staff as needed.

“We are well-equipped with assets including high-wheelers, helicopters, boats and generators, and we are preparing for potential missions to include humanitarian assistance, security operations, search and rescue, air transport and more,” the police release said. .

In Tampa, authorities urged residents to stay off the roads as the storm approaches.

Districts and applications preparing for a storm

The mayor and emergency coordinator of the city of Tampa both posted on social media on Tuesday, urging residents to stay home and be prepared.

“We want everyone to be safe in Tampa. We’ll be watching the storm all night, so you don’t have to,” he added.

Earlier, Tampa emergency coordinator John Antapasis said it was time for residents to come to safety ahead of the expected landslide.

“Now is the time to get back home, get off the streets and be safe tonight,” he said. “You have to make and finalize your hurricane plans, while at the same time making sure you are in a safe place … it makes way for Elsa to evacuate the community.”

Antapasis advised those who have to go by road to check the flood map of the city.

Manatee County Administrator Scott Hobbs warned people to prepare for the storm during a press conference on Tuesday.

“Please finalize your plans, protect your homes, deploy the bunker and get ready to get out of this storm,” Hobbs said.

Shelters were opened in at least five districts on Tuesday, and two more districts issued voluntary eviction orders.

Additional tax workers and support staff have been brought in from Carolinas, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, the release said.

Tropical storm warnings and emergency announcements have been extended

Tropical storm clocks and warnings have been issued in Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia ahead of the Elsa landslide in Florida.

These warnings extend to the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina.

Tropical storm surveillance has been provided along the entire coast of North Carolina, up to Syncodeek in Virginia, and on the Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort.

On Tuesday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in preparation for Elsa’s impact.

“The storm system has the potential to have devastating impacts on citizens throughout the central, southern and coastal areas of the state of Georgia, and the network of roads in Georgia may be impossible due to fallen trees, power lines and debris. Access to affected public services , “Kemp said.

A state of emergency has been declared in 91 of Georgia’s 159 counties, according to Kemp. The order expires Wednesday at midnight unless the governor decides to renew.