Tropical Storm Elsa strengthened into the first hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic storm season on Friday as it battered the eastern Caribbean, where officials closed schools, businesses and airports.
The storm could impact Florida early next week and officials are urging residents there to make preparations.
Friday morning, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he is putting together a potential emergency order as Elsa approaches. DeSantis said South Florida could see tropical storm force winds as soon as Sunday night.
Sustained winds were near 75 mph, making the storm a Category 1 hurricane, according to an 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Elsa was located 5 miles south of St. Vincent and was moving west-northwest at