Tropical Storm Eta Update Monday, November 9th At 0800 (CST)
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Storm Eta made landfall in Lower Matecumbe Key, FL late Sunday night with sustained winds of 65 MPH. At 0800 AM (EST), the National Weather Service, Key West, reported Eta was pulling away from the Florida Keys, and the NHC said it is moving westward over the Southeastern Gulf of Mexico. CNN reports more than 30,000 customers are without power, and 21 counties in Florida are under a state of emergency.
Watches and warnings in effect as of 0700 (CST) Monday, November 9th:
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
- Florida coast from Brevard/Volusia County line to Anna Maria Island
- The Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas, including Florida Bay
- Lake Okeechobee
For the latest updates on road closures in Florida, please follow Florida’s Department of Transportation Twitter page.
Tropical Depression Eta continues to churn through the Caribbean, and is expected to restrengthen to a tropical storm as it tracks toward South Florida. Weather.com weather models show Eta approaching South Florida this weekend and into early next week, bringing flooding, rain, and high surf.
On Friday, November 6th, at 0600 AM (CST), The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued the following recommendation: “Interests in Cuba, the Northwestern Bahamas, Florida Keys, and Southern Florida should monitor the progress of this system as tropical storm watches could be required for some of these areas later today.”
NHC has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the Cayman Islands. Additionally, NHC has issued the following hazard warnings:
- Rainfall: Eta is expected to produce the following rainfall amounts through Wednesday morning:
- Portions of Central America: An additional 5 to 10 inches, with isolated maximum storm totals of 40 inches in eastern Honduras and eastern Nicaragua. This rainfall will continue catastrophic, life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding, along with landslides into areas of higher terrain of Central America.
- Southeastern Mexico and Jamaica: An additional 2-5 inches of rainfall and isolated maximum storm totals of 15 inches. Flash flooding and river flooding is expected for Jamaica and Southeast Mexico.
- The Cayman Islands into portions of Cuba: 10 to 20 inches of rainfall, with isolated maximum storm totals of 30 inches. Significant, life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding is possible in the Cayman Islands and Cuba.
- The Bahamas and Southern Florida, including the Florida Keys: 5 to 10 inches of rainfall, with isolated maximum totals of 15 inches. Flash flooding is possible across the Bahamas and Southern Florida
- Wind: Tropical storm conditions are possible in the Cayman Islands Saturday or Saturday night.
- Surf: Swells generated by Eta are expected to spread northwestward and affect the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and the southern coast of Cuba during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
The GlobalTranz team will continue to track Eta’s path and possible impact on shippers and carriers in southern Florida and the Florida Keys and to assist with any weather-related supply chain disruptions. Our thoughts are with all of those in the storm path.
This weather event is rapidly evolving. For updates and more information, please continue to visit the GlobalTranz blog and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.