Last night, Tropical Storm Eta brought high winds and sustained flooding throughout Pinellas County, resulting in local rescue crews assisting 33 residents.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office says High Water Rescue Teams used Humvees, flat bottom boats and inflatable boats to rescue 33 people last night, mostly in the areas of Pass-a-Grille, and south St. Pete Beach north to Madeira Beach.
Though residents were relocated to nearby hotels and shelters, no injuries were reported.
Pinellas County has closed all parks to remove debris and issued a coastal flood advisory through 3 p.m., as water levels are expected to rise 1-3 feet above normal high tides.
Eta made landfall near Cedar Key at 4:20 a.m. Thursday, and then headed northeast across Florida moving between Ocala and Gainesville. As of 10 a.m. the storm was located about 10 miles southwest of Jacksonville.
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This article appears in Nov 12-18, 2020.