Eta, the 28th named storm of 2020 (and what was once the 12th hurricane of the season), caused at least 57 casualties last week in Central America as a Category 4 hurricane, and Tampa Bay is still in the cone of uncertainty.
And as it brings rain and flooding to the Keys and southeast Florida, a tropical storm warning has been issued along the coast as far north as Manatee County. Wind gusts of 30-40 mph are expected in the Bay area, too.
The latest update from the National Hurricane Center shows Eta (it rhymes with “beta”) moving into the Gulf of Mexico and regaining hurricane strength before turning back towards Florida. Tropical storm conditions—winds of 39 mph-73 mph—could arrive in Tampa Bay anytime Wednesday through Friday.
A new update is expected at 11 a.m. EST.
Even as the center of #Eta moves farther west over the Gulf of Mexico, trailing rainbands continue to cause flooding issues over South #Florida.
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) November 9, 2020
Please follow @NWSMiami (https://t.co/cJemi9E983) and @NWSKeyWest (https://t.co/OKQXfrGSWS) for more info. pic.twitter.com/X0Jiw2lCYS
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