South Florida braces for Hurricane Elsa
USCG declares port condition Whiskey for the Port of Key West and Port Miami.
Tropical Storm Elsa has been upgraded to Hurricane Elsa, making it the first hurricane of the 2021 season. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of Key West and Miami has declared port condition Whiskey for both ports.
Sustained winds of 39-54 mph are forecast for the next 72 hours and there are no safe havens from storm conditions in either port. The Coast Guard has reminded mariners that ports are safest when they have less vessels.
Ocean-going commercial vessels at Key West of 300 gross tons or more are expected to put to sea to weather the storm. At Miami the limit is 500 gross tons or more. Vessels that wish to remain in port must receive advance permission and inbound vessels are advised to divert.
