Tropical Storm ETA update from NHC and NOAA
The highest wind gusts topped 50 mph in some places. That's led to at least 15,000 power outages across Florida, especially in Pinellas County. Wind gusts up to 72 mph were reported in Beverly Hill, Citrus county and 55 mph in Homosassa.
Tampa International Airport resumes operations this morning. Forecasters warned rip currents are likely to continue along area beaches through Friday afternoon.
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The Storm Surge and Tropical Storm warnings have been discontinued
for the west coast of Florida.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Flagler/Volusia County Florida line northward to St. Andrews
Sound Georgia.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area.
For storm information specific to your area, including possible
inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your
local National Weather Service forecast office.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 700 AM EST (1200 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Eta was
located near latitude 29.7 North, longitude 82.4 West. Eta is
moving toward the northeast near 13 mph (20 km/h). Eta should move
across northeastern Florida this morning and emerge into the
western Atlantic this afternoon. The cyclone is expected to
accelerate over the western Atlantic and move parallel to, but
offshore of the Carolinas before heading well east of the
Mid-Atlantic coast by late Friday.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 45 mph (75 km/h)
with higher gusts. Eta could re-intensify as a non-tropical cyclone
on Friday before becoming absorbed by a larger non-tropical cyclone
on Saturday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km)
primarily over water to the east of the center. A NOAA Coastal
Marine Observing site at St. Augustine Florida recently reported
sustained winds of 37 mph (59 km/h) and a gust of 44 mph (70 km/h)
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1001 mb (29.56 inches)
based on surface observations from Cedar Key.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key messages for Eta can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion
under AWIPS header MIATCDAT4, WMO header WTNT44 KNHC, and on the
web at www.hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT4.shtml.
STORM SURGE: The combination of a storm surge and the tide will
cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising
waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the
following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if
the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...
Suwannee River to Middle of Longboat Key, FL including Tampa
Bay...1-3 ft
Water levels remain elevated and will gradually decrease throughout
the day as the storm moves inland. Surge-related flooding depends
on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can
vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your
area, please see products issued by your local National Weather
Service forecast office.
RAINFALL: Eta will produce an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain
across portions of the Florida Peninsula through today, with
isolated maximum storm total accumulations of 20 to 25 inches in
South Florida.
Localized flash and urban flooding will be possible across the
Florida Peninsula today, especially across previously inundated
areas. Minor river flooding is expected across portions of west
Florida lasting into the weekend.
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the Tropical Storm
Warning area along the east coast of Florida through early this
afternoon.
SURF: Swells generated by Eta are expected to affect the Florida
Gulf Coast today and are likely to cause life-threatening surf and
rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local
weather office.
For more information go here: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/121155.shtml