National Hurricane Center updates: Tropical Storm Eta makes landfall near Cedar Key

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Editor’s note: This story is provided at no cost as a public service so all residents can stay informed. Please consider supporting local journalism and becoming a subscriber.

Tropical Storm Eta made landfall near Cedar Key about 4 this morning.

Maximum sustained winds were estimated to be 50 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles, from the center.

Eta is expected to move across northeastern Florida today and emerge into the western Atlantic this afternoon.

Storm tracker: Track Eta in our storm tracker

Eta forecast: Breakdown of Florida impacts after latest hurricane season twist | WeatherTiger

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 50 mph, with higher gusts.

Eta is expected to weaken but could re-intensify as a non-tropical cyclone today and Friday before becoming absorbed by a larger non-tropical cyclone on Saturday.

Where is Eta now?

Hazards affecting land

Storm surge: The combination of a dangerous 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:

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds, where the surge will be accompanied by dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

Rainfall: Eta will produce an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain across portions of Florida 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 state 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 Florida west coast through this morning, and in the warning area along the east coast starting in the next few hours.

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.

Watches and warnings

A storm surge warning is in effect for:

A tropical storm warning is in effect for:

Flagler/Volusia County Florida line northward to St. Andrews Sound Georgia.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for:

More coverage

More: Tracking Eta: Look at Hurricane Eta’s track from the beginning

Storm tracker: Track Eta in our storm tracker