Tropical Storm Zeta – Update #3 – 10/27/2020

University of Florida officials are continuing to monitor Tropical Storm Zeta. Here’s what we know today:

Heavy rainfall is expected across Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the Cayman Islands, and western Cuba, which could lead in to flash flood in urban areas.  Zeta is expected to strengthen back into hurricane today.

The National Hurricane Center projects a landfall Wednesday evening as a Category 1 hurricane on the coasts of southeast Louisiana and Mississippi.

Tropical Storm Zeta’s greatest threat to the Florida Panhandle remains for Wednesday into early Thursday. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties. A storm surge warning has been issued from the Alabama/Florida state line to Navarre Beach, which includes Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, for potential surge inundation and  east of Navarre Beach for the remainder of the Panhandle and Big Bend regions to Cedar Key.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has included much of the Panhandle in a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) of severe weather on Wednesday for the potential of thunderstorms and tornadoes in association with rain bands from Zeta. A tornado watch for the area could be issued on Wednesday.

UF units with operations in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties should be prepared for tropical storm force winds and follow guidance from local officials. Other areas in Florida’s Panhandle should continue to closely monitor forecasts for changes, especially any extensions of tropical storm warning eastward.

No tropical storm warnings or watches are currently in place for Alachua County, and no operation changes are anticipated for the UF campus in Gainesville. We will continue to monitor and update the UF community on expected impacts or schedule changes as information becomes available.

For more information, please visit National Hurricane Center

 

Published: October 27th, 2020

Category: 2020 Weather Alerts