Tropical Storm Elsa is drenching Key West, Florida, Tuesday morning and may strengthen during the day as it nears landfall by Tampa Bay.

       ABC News

       A tropical storm warning has also been issued from the Keys to Fort Myers to Tampa on Tuesday as a tropical storm watch has been extended now into South Carolina and coastal Georgia.

       The tropical storm's path is sparing Miami, where rescuers are still searching for victims of the deadly Surfside condo collapse.

       MORE: Surfside building collapse latest: 4 more bodies recovered

       Search and rescue continued through the rain and wind overnight, pausing only briefly for lightning as per the law, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Tuesday. The wind has also hampered large cranes from moving heavy debris, Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said.

       Elsa will pass the Tampa Bay area overnight Tuesday into Wednesday and is forecast to make landfall just north of Tampa Bay between 5 and 7 a.m. Wednesday.

       MORE: What we know about the victims of the Surfside building collapse

       Tampa International Airport is suspending operations at 5 p.m. Tuesday with plans to resume at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

       Elsa's winds are expected to reach 70 mph at the time of landfall; storms need winds 74 mph or higher to be considered a hurricane.

       ABC News

       Elsa is due to pass the Tampa Bay area late Tuesday into and into the early morning hours of Wednesday when it is forecast to make landfall just north of Tampa Bay with winds of 70 mph.

       Storm surge could reach 5 feet around Tampa Bay, an area very susceptible to flooding due to the coastal, low-lying topography.

       ABC News

       The storm’s landfall is forecast to be around 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Wednesday morning as storm surge could reach up to 5 feet in Tampa Bay area, which is a problem since the region is very susceptible to flooding due to the coastal low lying area.

       The heaviest rainfall -- 6 to 10 inches -- will be north of Tampa.

       MORE: What to know about storm surge

       Flooding is possible for most of Florida -- from Naples to Jacksonville -- and could extend into Georgia.

       The ground in many parts of the Sunshine State is already saturated after a 300% rain increase over the last two weeks, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez said Tuesday.

       ABC News

       Additionally, Tampa could see up to half a foot of rain and urban flooding is possible in the metropolitan area.

       Residents should be prepared to be without power for the next few days, but widespread evacuations aren't expected, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

       Octavio Jones/Reuters

       Alex Rodriguez and his cousin Javier Rodriguez fish from the North Skyway Bridge Pier as dark clouds loom over the Tampa Bay Channel ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa, in St. Petersburg, Fla, July 5, 2021.

       After barreling through Florida, Elsa will weaken as it moves through Georgia, the Carolinas and the mid-Atlantic.

       MORE: Power outages, carbon monoxide deaths: What you should know to stay safe

       ABC News

       Elsa is expected to reemerge off the New Jersey coast and bring heavy rain and gusty winds to Atlantic City, New York City, Long Island and southeastern New England, including Boston and Cape Cod in a few days.

       A tropical storm watch could even be issued in the Northeast.

       Elsa will pass just east of New York City and Long Island on Friday morning and then speed up around Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard where gusty winds and heavy rain are possible.