Cuba Evacuates Thousands of People as Tropical Storm Elsa Nears and Moves to Florida
Strong waves and sargassum brought by the tide are seen at the Malecon after the passage of storm Elsa in Santo Domingo, on July 4, 2021. - On its passage through Hispaniola, Elsa left two dead in the Dominican Republic. A 15 year-old boy died in the Bahoruco region due to the collapse of a wall; and a 75 year-old woman also died when her house collapsed in Bani, according to the local newspaper Listin Diaro, citing the National Institute of Legal Medicine (Inacif). ERIKA SANTELICES/afp/AFP via Getty Images

As Tropical storm Elsa approaches, Cuba has evacuated 180,000 people across the island due to fears that it could cause severe flooding after three people were killed across the Caribbean.

Tropical Storm Elsa is also seen to head toward Florida, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds, and storm surge earlier this week, The Weather Channel reported.

Elsa is centered near Cuba, while it is heading to the northwest. It is affecting parts of Cuba and Jamaica with heavy rains and gusty winds, with more than five inches of rain that fallen in at least one location in Jamaica.

A tropical storm warning is now raised in portions of the Florida Keys, from Craig Key westward to the Dry Tortugas.

Areas of Craig Key, Ocean Reef, Florida Bay, Flamingo, and west coast to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay, could see tropical storm conditions by Monday night, July 5.

The National Hurricane Center said that a gradual weakening is likely to happen on Monday when Elsa moves across Cuba, Al Jazeera reported.

The agency added that some slight restrengthening could occur after Elsa emerges over the Florida Straits and the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Elsa Heading to Florida

In Florida, state Governor Ron DeSantis responded immediately on the matter. A total of 15 counties were under a state of emergency.

Miami-Dade County is among the counties with a state of emergency notice. A high-rise condominium tower had collapsed in the area around two weeks ago. Officials are quickening their demolition efforts for the section of the building that is still standing.

Officials are concerned that the storm could compromise a search and rescue effort, NBC News reported.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said as soon as the preparation is ready, the site is secure, and the team is ready to go, they will start the demolition.

A spokesperson for the town of Surfside said that the residents of the collapsed building would be mandated not to go out while there is a pending demolition, CBS News reported.

Tropical Storm Elsa in the Caribbean

The tropical storm had caused widespread damage in several eastern Caribbean islands on Friday, July 2. Tropical storm Elsa is reported to be the first hurricane during the Atlantic season.

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management said that one person was killed in Saint Lucia. In the Dominican Republic, a 15-year-old boy and a 75-year-old woman were killed after a wall collapsed in a separate incident.

More than 1,100 people reported damaged homes in Barbados, with 62 homes that collapsed. The government has promised to find and fund temporary shelters to avoid clustering people in evacuation centers during the pandemic.

In Haiti, the storm affected the country's agriculture sector, with downed trees reported, particularly in areas vulnerable to flood and landslides due to erosion and deforestation.

Up to 15 inches of rain could fall in areas of Jamaica, while Cuba will likely have storm surges as high as 5 feet in some areas.

WATCH: Tampa and All of Florida in Hurricane Elsa's Cone of Uncertainty - From ABC Action News