Hurricane Elsa continues to create problems for Caribbean countries after causing extensive damage at the weekend, becoming the first hurricane for this year’s Atlantic season.

Elsa caused extensive damage as a category one hurricane before it was downgraded to a tropical storm at the weekend, but its progress is being closely monitored as the system heads towards Florida and the US mainland.

“There is an increasing risk of tropical storm conditions, storm surge, and rainfall impacts in the Florida Keys, and a tropical storm watch is in effect,” catastrophe modeller Air Worldwide said.

“Uncertainty in the forecast remains larger than usual due to Elsa's potential interaction with Cuba.”

Elsa’s arrival marks an expected active Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June to November.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there is a 60% probability that the 2021 North Atlantic hurricane season will be above normal, with a likely 13 to 20 named tropical storms, six to 10 hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes.