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Sharon Pruitt-Young, NPR

Hurricane Elsa could complicate Surfside search efforts

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An advisory from the National Hurricane Center shows the path of Hurricane Elsa.
An advisory from the National Hurricane Center shows the path of Hurricane Elsa.
National Hurricane Center

As Hurricane Elsa heads toward Florida, officials at the site of the Surfside condo collapse are keeping a close watch on the storm.

Officials haven't stated whether they are expecting any delays to the search efforts, where 128 people remain unaccounted for. But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Friday that they are "actively monitoring" the situation and "paying special attention" to any possible impact in the Surfside and Miami-Dade County areas.

They have begun preparations for potential impact, which includes ensuring that the equipment on-site and the overall operation are protected.

"We're going like we normally would with these things — this is just what we do — but we're adding this special emphasis on this site because we understand the sensitivities involved," DeSantis said.

The hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour, is currently less than 100 miles from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent.

It is expected to hit the Windward Islands today and move into Haiti on Saturday. Jamaica and the southern coast of the Dominican Republic will also likely get hit over the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The Florida Keys and other parts of the state could see strong winds and heavy rain early next week, with residents of the state being urged to stay abreast of forecast updates that are ever-changing.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Friday that residents should have an emergency response plan in place and prepare for the approaching storm.

Other officials urged residents to make sure that they have enough supplies for each family member to survive for three to seven days, and to keep a battery-powered radio on hand. Residents have been urged to prepare their home for potential impact by securing any outdoor items, like patio furniture, or moving them inside ahead of oncoming winds.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.