Strong waves battered the coast of the Dominican Republic when Tropical Storm Elsa passed on July 3, 2021
Tropical Storm Elsa is now approaching Chesapeake Bay after flooding New York train stations. AFP / Erika SANTELICES

KEY POINTS

  • Heavy rains caused flooding at several New York train stations
  • Tropical storm warnings are in effect for several mid-Atlantic and northeastern states
  • The NWS warned of potential tornadoes through Friday morning

Tropical Storm Elsa is moving toward the East Coast at 21 mph as forecasters project the storm’s possible strengthening over the next 24 hours. More than 50 million Americans are under flash flood watches.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest update as of 11 pm EDT that Elsa will continue to move across the eastern mid-Atlantic, with heavy rainfall expected in New England throughout Friday.

By Friday, a large area of the East Coast is forecast to get 2 to 4 inches of rain. According to ABC News, the highest totals are likely along and east of Interstate-95 up across the mid-Atlantic. Up to 6 inches of rain is possible in parts of New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

In several Big Apple train stations in New York, residents were spotted wading in subterranean lakes to get to the subway.

Flooding was reported at the 191st Street No. 1 train station, the 157th St. station and the 125th St. station, Fox News reported.

The flooding reports came amid the “severe thunderstorm watch” declared by the National Weather Service (NWS) that lasted through 9 p.m. Besides flooding in different parts of New York, there have also been reports of tornadoes.

According to ABC News, there have been four tornado reports in three states following the tropical storm. Florida, Georgia and South Carolina all reported damage.

On Wednesday, a tornado believed to have been triggered by Elsa injured several people at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in southern Georgia.

The tornado damaged “multiple recreational vehicles” and an RV park in the base, the Weather Channel reported. Trees were also downed around the area.

None of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries despite trailers with people inside flipping over when the tornado hit.

Warnings have been placed for areas in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

  • Fenwick Island, Delaware to Sandy Hook, New Jersey
  • Delaware Bay south of Slaughter Beach
  • Long Island from East Rockaway Inlet to the eastern tip along the south shore and from Port Jefferson Harbor eastward on the north shore
  • New Haven, Connecticut to Merrimack River, Massachusetts, including Cape Cod, Block Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket

Early Thursday, the NHC warned of flash flooding threats for states in the mid-Atlantic into New England.

The NWS forecasted that some parts of Southern New England, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia should prepare for potential tornadoes between Thursday evening and Friday morning, The New York Times reported.

Elsa is approaching Chesapeake Bay. The NHC is expecting the tropical storm to weaken by Friday night.

The tropical storm, which has killed one person after a tree fell and struck two vehicles, made landfall in Florida on Wednesday.

Tropical storm Elsa hits Cuba with drenching rain and strong wind as it makes its way north toward the Florida Keys.
Tropical storm Elsa hits Cuba with drenching rain and strong wind as it makes its way north toward the Florida Keys. CUBAN TV
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