National Hurricane Center updates: Tropical Storm Eta crossing Florida after landfall near Cedar Key

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The center of Tropical Storm Eta is moving across North Florida after making landfall earlier this morning.

Eta came onshore about 4 a.m. near Cedar Key with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

As the storm moves across the state, residents across North Florida are seeing heavy rains and gusty winds. 

Tropical storm and storm surge warnings were discontinued for the west coast of Florida in the 7 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Eta should move across northeastern Florida this morning 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 45 mph, 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, primarily over water to the east of the center.

Tropical Storm Eta 7 a.m. Nov. 12, 2020.

 (Photo: GRAPHIC CONTRIBUTED BY NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER) Where is Eta now?

Hazards affecting land

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:

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.

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.

Watches and warnings

A tropical storm warning 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

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