As of early this morning, Tropical Storm Elsa is currently traveling north “almost parallel” to Florida’s western coast, and that general motion is expected to continue through this afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Elsa is about 50 miles south-southwest of Cedar Key, Florida, according to a 5 a.m. update.

The storm was moving north at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds at 65 mph – down from 70 mph earlier today.

Elsa briefly gained hurricane status early last night but lost a little of its strength sending back to a tropical storm status.

As Elsa moves along the coast, the NHC says significant rainfall could lead to isolated flash, urban or minor river flooding. The NHC is also warning of life-threatening storm surge along parts of the coast.

The storm is expected to turn toward the north-northeast in the late afternoon or evening.

On the forecast track, Elsa will move near or over portions of the western coast of Florida this morning. It will then make landfall along the north Florida Gulf coast by late this morning or this afternoon. The storm should next move across the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States through tomorrow.

Coastal Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and southeastern Virginia could experience flash and urban flooding later in the week.