Tropical Storm Warnings, Watches Issued For South Florida, Keys

ACROSS FLORIDA — Tropical storm warnings and watches are now in effect for parts of south Florida and the Keys after the Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft flew into Tropical Storm Eta Saturday morning and found that the storm has strengthened significantly.

maximum sustained winds of 60 mph with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is expected through Sunday night. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center of Eta.

According to the 1 p.m. National Hurricane Center advisory, Tropical Storm Eta has maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. It is now about 50 miles north of Grand Cayman and 230 miles west-southwest of Camaguey, Cuba. It is moving northeast at 17 mph.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Florida coast from Golden Beach to Chokoloskee, including Florida Day, and the Florida Keyes from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas.

Tropical storm watches are in effect for the Florida east coast north of Golden Beach to the Brevard-Volusia county line, the Florida west coast north of Chokoloskee to Englewood and Lake Okeechobee.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

The hurricane center is advising residents in Florida to monitor the progress of this system as additional tropical storm watches or warnings could be issued later Saturday.
today.

An east-northeast to northeast motion is expected through early Sunday. A turn toward the north and northwest are expected by Sunday afternoon.

On the forecast track, the center of Eta will move away from the Cayman Islands later today, be near central Cuba tonight and Sunday, and near the Florida Keys or south Florida Sunday night and Monday.

Flash and urban flooding is possible for the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, the Bahamas and southern Florida.

Eta is expected to produce 5 to 10 inches of rain in portions of central and south Florida with isolated maximum totals of 15 inches.

The combination of 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:

• Marco Island to North Miami Beach, including Biscayne Bay - 2 to 3 feet
• Florida Keys - 2 to 3 feet
• Flagler-Volusia county line to Altamaha Sound, Georgia - 2 to 3 feet
• North Miami Beach to the Flagler-Volusia county line - 1 to 2 feet

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. Check the National Weather Service forecast in your area for specific information.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in south Florida and the Florida Keys late Sunday and Sunday night.

A tornado or two may occur Sunday evening and Sunday night over south Florida and the Keys.

Swells generated by Eta are expected to spread northeastward and affect the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, the southern coast of Cuba, the northwestern Bahamas and southern Florida and the Florida Keys during the next couple of days.

These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

"We are closely monitoring Eta as this system is expected to approach our state this weekend," said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. "Residents in southern Florida should begin preparing for potential impacts, including heavy rain and flooding. Gather seven days of supplies and follow @FLSERT for updates."

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