Day: July 7, 2021

VERO BEACH, Fla. — More than 4 million people were under warnings along Florida’s west coast Tuesday as Elsa strengthened again into a hurricane, spinning past the Key West and closer to the Sunshine State.

The hurricane warning was in effect from Egmont Key to the Steinhatchee River. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in the area, in this case within the next 24 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center.

“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the hurricane center said.

The storm was centered about 65 miles southwest of Tampa, as of 11 p.m. EDT Tuesday, driving sustained winds of 75 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory.

The storm moved north at 14 mph, much slower than its record-setting pace of more than 30 mph last week.