Hurricane Elsa: Video shows storm hitting Barbados as Miami condo rescue efforts at risk

Follow live as Elsa marks the first hurricane of the Atlantic season

Storm Elsa turns into a hurricane as it slams Barbados

Hurricane Elsa has torn through Barbados, reportedly ripping roofs off homes and sparking power outages and floods in the island nation as the storm made its way towards Haiti.

In video posted to social media, the hurricane could be seen ripping through parts of the Caribbean country.

Elsa strengthened into a hurricane on Friday, eventually blowing maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour (140 kph), according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The hurricane has forced schools, businesses and airports to close in the region, with a hurricane warning in effect for Barbados, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

With the hurricane believed to be headed towards Florida, there are fears that it could hamper rescue efforts in Surfside, Miami, where responders have been working tirelessly to search for survivors following the 24 June partial collapse of a residential building.

At least 18 people have been confirmed dead in the incident at the Champlain Towers South condominium, while 145 people are still unaccounted for.

It is feared that the death toll will rise in the deadly building collapse.

Follow live updates below

Key Points

• Hurricane Elsa threatens Miami rescue efforts after building collapse
• Hurricane hammers Barbados
• Where will hurricane hit and will it reach Florida?
• First hurricane of Atlantic season earlier than average, expert says

[2 July 2021 20:54 · Chantal Da Silva]

Watch ‘evolution’ of Elsa

A timelapse video published on social media by Colorado State University’s Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) shows Storm Elsa’s transformation into a hurricane.

The video shows the 24 hours in which Elsa became the first hurricane of the Atlantic season.

The hurricane came sooner than the first hurricane of the season usually comes, with the average date for the first formation of the year from 1991 to 2020 being 14 August, according to one CSU meteorologist.

[2 July 2021 21:47 · Chantal Da Silva]

Satellite footage shows lightning strikes as Hurricane Elsa unfolds

Satellite footage captured by Colorado State University’s Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) shows lightning strikes playing out as Hurricane Elsa unfolds.

In the video a battery of lightning strikes can be seen as the hurricane swirls.

[2 July 2021 22:09 · Chantal Da Silva]

Watch: Hurricane Elsa sees electrical wires torn down

Video posted to social media shows Hurricane Elsa tearing through a residential area in Barbados, with what appears to be part of a building being ripped away by the storm before knocking down electrical wires.

A voice in the video can be heard saying “oh my goodness” as strong winds and rain gust through the neighbourhood.

[2 July 2021 22:23 · Chantal Da Silva]

Our live coverage of Hurricane Elsa is ending for now. Thank you for following along and stay safe.

[2 July 2021 22:24 · Chantal Da Silva]