Eta Downgraded To Tropical Storm But Remains Unpredictable

ACROSS FLORIDA — Although reports from the Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that Eta strengthened into a hurricane overnight, in the past hour an Air Force reconnaissance aircraft indicated that Eta has weakened back to a tropical storm.

This doesn't mean residents should get complacent.

"This is a life-threatening situation," NHC Director Ken Graham said. "People located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions."

Data from the aircraft and NOAA Doppler weather radars show that maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 70 mph with higher gusts. Slow weakening is expected as Eta approaches the west coast of Florida Wednesday night followed by rapid weakening after landfall occurs on Thursday. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles, mainly northeast through southeast of the center.

Heavy rains and gusty winds are occurring across west-central Florida and the coastline remains at risk from storm surge. The storm is about 60 miles southwest of Tampa Bay, moving north-northeast at about 10 mph.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday afternoon that he’d expanded a state of emergency declaration to include 13 counties along or near Florida’s west coast, including all of Tampa Bay.

Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties have declared their own states of emergency.

Most Tampa Bay schools have announced closures for Wednesday and Thursday, including Pinellas and Pasco schools. Hillsborough County schools will close Thursday and Friday.

Businesses along the Gulf coast from Fort Myers to New Port Richey have begun boarding up windows in anticipation of strong winds and storm surge while homeowners clear porches and pool areas of any objects that could become projectiles in the anticipated winds.

The Florida Highway Patrol has closed the Skyway Bridge as wind speeds at the pinnacle reach 50 mph. Drivers should seek alternate routes.

The highway patrol is also reminding residents not to drive across flooded roadways, keep headlights on, reduce speeds and increase the distance between vehicles.

Just after 1 p.m. a driver learned this lesson the hard way after striking the rear of a Florida Highway Patrol vehicle on Interstate 75 in Manatee County.

Florida Highway Patrol

A driver learned the hard way it's not a good idea to follow too closely behind another vehicle during a tropical storm. On Wednesday afternoon, the driver struck the rear end of a Florida Highway Patrol car on Interstate 75 in Manatee County.

Tampa International Airport will suspend all operations beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday. All passengers should check with their airlines for flight status updates. The airport, including the main terminal and parking garages, will be closed to all visitors at that time. TPA is not a designated storm shelter.

All airport operations are expected to resume Thursday by noon, but could reopen earlier if the airfield and terminal areas are deemed fit.

The Pete-Clearwater International Airport remains open although some flights, including Allegiant Air, have been canceled.

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Eta is 115 miles west-southwest of Port Charlotte and 145 miles south-southwest of Tampa, moving north-northeast at about 10 mph.

Heavy squalls with tropical storm-force winds are spreading onshore along the Gulf, and a storm surge warning has been issued from the Suwanee River to Bonita Beach, including Tampa Bay.

However, a hurricane watch remains in place for Anna Maria Island to Yankeetown.

A storm surge warning is in effect for Bonita Beach to the Suwanee River including Tampa Bay
and Charlotte Harbor.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Bonita Beach to the Suwannee River.

A storm surge watch is in effect for the Steinhatchee River to the Suwannee River.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for north of the Suwannee River to the Aucilla River.

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

A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.

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

Residents should promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

A sustained wind of 33 mph and a gust to 42 mph were recently measured by a Weatherflow observing station on Sanibel Island. Across the lower Florida Keys, a sustained wind of 39 mph and a gust to 49 mph were reported at Sand Key.

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:

• Anclote River to Boca Grande, including Tampa Bay - 3 to 5 feet
• Boca Grande to Bonita Beach, including Charlotte Harbor - 2 to 4 feet
• Steinhatchee River to Anclote River - 2 to 4 feet
• Bonita Beach to Flamingo - 1 to 2 feet

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

Eta is expected to produce the following rainfall totals:

West and central Florida through Friday - 2 to 4 inches, with maximum storm total accumulations of 6 inches.

North and south Florida - an additional 1 to 2 inches, with isolated maximum storm total accumulations of 4 inches in north Florida and 20 inches in south Florida.

Flash and urban flooding will be possible in South Florida, especially across previously inundated areas.

Flash, urban and isolated minor river flooding is expected across portions of west and north Florida through Friday.

Hurricane conditions are still possible in the watch area Wednesday night and early Thursday.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in the tropical storm warning area along the Florida west coast by Wednesday afternoon.

Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area along the Florida Big Bend region by Thursday.

A few tornadoes are possible through Wednesday night over parts of western and central Florida.

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.

Related:

• Hillsborough County Schools To Close Thursday, Friday For Eta
• Pasco County Schools To Close Ahead Of Hurricane Eta
• Pinellas County School Closures Due To Tropical Storm Eta
• Hillsborough County Under State Of Local Emergency: Hurricane Eta
• 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season Most Active On Record: NOAA
• Tropicana Field Coronavirus Testing Site Closed Due To Eta
• State Of Emergency Declared In Manatee County
• Early Dismissal Planned For Sarasota Schools Wednesday
• AT&T Prepares For Eta; Offers Advice On Saving Battery Power
• Coast Guard Sets Condition Zulu; No Boats May Enter Ports
• Pinellas County Declares Emergency As Hurricane Eta Nears
• Polk County Schools Close Thursday Due to Hurricane Eta
• New Port Richey, Pasco Opens Sandbag Stations; No Shelters Open