Eta Expected To Produce Storms, Rain, Winds Along Gulf Tuesday

TAMPA BAY, FL — Tampa Bay emergency operations centers are urging residents to continue to monitor weather forecasts and review their emergency plans as potential impacts from Tropical Storm Eta remain uncertain.

The arrival of Tropical Storm Eta in Florida is expected on Tuesday as a day of storms, rain and straight-line winds.

At 9 a.m. Tuesday, the center of Tropical Storm Eta was located over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico about 60 miles north-northwest of the western tip of Cuba. Eta has been nearly stationary this morning, and little motion is expected today. A slow northward motion is forecast to begin by Tuesday evening and continue through Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center. Some strengthening is forecast during the next day or two, followed by weakening likely starting on Thursday.

Eta is expected to produce an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain in south Florida with isolated maximum storm total accumulations of 20 inches.

Additional flash and urban flooding, especially across previously inundated areas, will be possible in South Florida Tuesday day and night.

Eta will continue moving into Florida where the next few days will feel windy, wet and warm with some pop-up afternoon storms possible. Miami can expect to feel much of the brunt of Tropical Storm Eta with the city rising to a temperature of 84 under a stormy afternoon sky.

The movement of Tropical Storm Eta will begin to impact the Gulf Coast with storms moving across Northern Florida and into Mississippi and Alabama.

The effects of Eta will move north into Georgia and the Carolinas with Atlanta climbing to a top temperature of 73 with a mix of sunshine and showers. The effects of the tropical storm could move as far north as South Carolina with a few showers moving across the border into North Carolina.

"Floridians should monitor Eta closely over the coming days," said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. "While this storm has moved offshore, it could still bring dangerous conditions to the Gulf Coast at the end of this week. If you're in the potential path of this storm, gather seven days of supplies and follow alerts."

Swells generated by Eta are expected to affect southern and western Florida, and the Florida Keys during the next day or so. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current
conditions.

On the forecast track, the center of Eta will remain over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico through Wednesday.

Gusty conditions will continue across the Florida Keys, south and central Florida.

Tropical storms can bring damaging winds and heavy rain even to areas that aren't in a storm's direct path.

• Prepare your home by cleaning out gutters and drain pipes, trimming trees and hedges if needed, and securing or putting away loose objects such as outdoor furniture, birdbaths and potted plants.
• Review storm preparedness plans and disaster kit contents.
• Know if you live in an evacuation zone.
• Register for your county's official public notification system for emergency and urgent alerts.

Hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin doesn't end until Nov. 30, and the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has lived up to predictions of more activity than usual.

See related stories:

• Tropical Depression Eta Expected To Strengthen Approaching Keys
• Eta Could Produce Tropical-Force Winds In Florida This Weekend
• Tropical Depression Eta Expected To Strengthen Approaching Keys
• Tropical Storm Warnings, Watches Issued For South Florida, Keys