As of 5 a.m., Tropical Storm Elsa is currently traveling north "almost parallel" to Florida's west coast, and that general motion is expected to continue through Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
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 west coast of Florida this morning, then make landfall along the north Florida Gulf coast by late this morning or this afternoon," according to the NHC. "The storm should then move across the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States through Thursday."
Tropical Storm Elsa is currently about 50 miles south-southwest of Cedar Key, Florida, according to a 5 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The storm was moving north at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds at 65 mph -- down from 70 mph earlier this morning.
Heavy rains and gusty winds continue to spread inland across Florida's western peninsula, the NHC said.
A hurricane warning remains in effect from Chassahowitzka to the Steinhatchee River along Florida's west coast.
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Eight additional victims were recovered Tuesday at the Champlain Towers South collapse site -- as Tropical Storm Elsa approaches Florida.
The demolition of the remaining portion of the partially collapsed condo building over the holiday weekend allowed rescuers to reach new parts of the structure.
As of early Wednesday, the death toll stands at 36 with more than 100 people still unaccounted for.
Elsa's heaviest winds and rain should bypass Surfside, Florida.
{{#rendered}}Elsa has weakened to a tropical storm, according to a 2 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
As of 2 a.m., the storm was located about 60 miles west of Tampa, Florida.
It was moving north at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds at 70 mph.
A hurricane warning is still in effect for Egmont Key to the Steinhatchee River, Florida
"Maximum sustained winds are now near 70 mph (115 km/h) with higher gusts. Some fluctuations in the intensity are possible until landfall occurs," according to the NHC. "Weakening will begin after Elsa moves inland by late Wednesday morning."
As of 11 p.m., the center of Hurricane Elsa was located about 65 miles southwest of Tampa Bay, Florida.
The storm was moving north at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds at 75 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
It is expected to make landfall between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Wednesday between the Tampa Bay area and the Big Bend region
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Coverage for this event has ended.