Tropical Storm Elsa Update: Flood Watch Announced for Disney World Area

We’ve been keeping our eye on Tropical Storm Elsa and the potential impact the storm may have on Walt Disney World.

A stormy day in Disney

On Monday, we saw hurricane meal kits added to the menus at several Disney hotel restaurants, and now we have an update on the tropical storm as it heads toward Florida.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Central Florida is under a Flood Watch until 4PM Wednesday due to Tropical Storm Elsa. The watch was issued in several counties including Orange County, which is where the majority of Walt Disney World is located. The weather service also predicted possible tornadoes throughout Central Florida.

©Orlando Sentinel

The weather outlook in Orlando Tuesday morning said that there will be heavy thunderstorms Tuesday that could bring damaging winds and even an isolated tornado.

Tropical Storm Elsa was 55 miles west of Key West and 240 miles south of Tampa as of Tuesday morning. Rain and wind were already impacting the Florida Keys and the storm is projected to make landfall near the Tampa area at 2AM Wednesday. Elsa’s tropical-storm-force winds are reaching up to 70 miles per hour.

Read more about our severe weather tips in Disney World here!

©The National Hurricane Center

Elsa is predicted to gain strength over the next 36 hours, with the National Hurricane Center saying that hurricane conditions are possible tonight and early Wednesday along a portion of the west coast of Florida, where a hurricane watch is in effect. However, while the storm is expected to be stronger before landfall, it should weaken Wednesday once its eye is over Florida.

©The National Hurricane Center

Right now, the storm is predicted to pass west and slightly north of Central Florida, but the area could still be impacted by severe weather. There is an existing state of emergency in several counties in the state, but not for the two counties that Walt Disney World is in.

©NOAA

If you’re in Disney World right now or planning to be soon, keep in mind that Disney is very prepared for storms like this and will take the proper precautions depending on the severity of the storm. For now, be prepared for some wind and rain in the parks! Ponchos and umbrellas will be your BFFs.