Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP - Getty ImagesOfficials rush to remove what remains of the Champlain Towers South Condo Building in Surfside before Tropical Storm Elsa hits Florida. This could make it more difficult for rescue and response efforts in the region. The demolition is currently scheduled for 10 p.m. ET Sunday at 10 p.m. ET Monday at 3 a.m. ET ET MondayAdvertisementElsa, which was a Category I hurricane on Friday and Saturday, but it became a tropical storm on Saturday, is expected to pass through Cuba on Sunday and Monday. The National Hurricane Center issued an 8 p.m. ET public advisory. ET public advisory, Sunday's National Hurricane Center stated that Elsa was expected to move toward the Florida Straights Monday and then pass close to the Florida Keys Tuesday. According to the current forecast, Elsa is expected to move close or above parts of Florida's west coast on Tuesday and/or Wednesday.Maximum sustained winds are currently at 60 mph (95 km/h), with stronger gusts, and the storm is moving north near 15 mph (24) kph. Elsa is expected to drop between 2 and 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) of rain across the Florida Keys, Florida Peninsula and coastal Georgia from Wednesday. On Monday and Tuesday, there is a chance of tornadoes in southern Florida.The center issued a Tropical Storm Warning, meaning that tropical storm conditions were expected in the warning area for several Cuban provinces as well as the Florida Keys, from Craig Key westward to Dry Tortugas.The west coast of Florida, Bonita Beach to Suwannee River, had a storm surge watch in effect. This was to warn people about possible inundation.G/O Media could be eligible for a World of Warcraft 60 Day Time Card at Eneba. Use the promo code: 20210704The center also issued an advisory of possible tropical storm conditions for the Florida Keys, from east of Craig Key, Ocean Reef, Florida Bay and the west coast from Flamingo northwards to the Anclote River.Officials in Surfside halted rescue and search operations Saturday afternoon to allow engineers to secure the Champlain Towers South building and begin demolishment. According to the New York Times, the pause was still in place on Sunday.AdvertisementCharles Burkett, Surfside Mayor, stated that they want to control the direction in which buildings fall and not hurricanes.CNN reported that forecasters believe Elsas center won't directly affect Surfside. However, that doesn't mean it is in the clear. According to the outlet, the town could still be affected from the storm's outer bands. Wind gusts and rain could start in the area as early as Monday morning.AdvertisementBurkett stated that officials were unable to rescue the building because it was being demolished. They needed to remove the building to continue rescue efforts for those trapped in the rubble. The Times reported that 24 people have been killed in the tragedy, while 121 are still missing.We don't have a problem with resources, as I said at the beginning. Only luck is a problem. Burkett stated that this storm was the latest in a series of difficult circumstances.AdvertisementFlorida Governor. Ron DeSantis declared an emergency in 15 counties, including Miami-Dade County. Surfside is within the possible path Elsa. DeSantis advised Floridians living in the south to prepare for flooding and heavy rains on Monday.CNN reported that officials have stated that it is crucial to demolish the building in order to allow survivors to search for them safely after the threat posed by the remaining structure has been removed. This might allow rescuers to access rubble areas they could not reach before. More than 500 state workers and first responders are on-site at the moment to assist with rescue and search efforts.
