Hurricane Zeta – Update #4 – 10/28/2020

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

A life-threatening storm is expected along portions of the northern Gulf Coast beginning later today. The National Hurricane Center projects Zeta will make a landfall this afternoon and a second landfall this evening in Mississippi before moving rapidly over southeastern Mississippi, Alabama and northern Georgia overnight.

Hurricane Zeta’s greatest threat to Florida remains in the Panhandle. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Holmes counties. Greatest wind threat is in the western Panhandle, where sustained tropical storm-force winds are possible, with higher gusts. Gusts to tropical storm strength are also possible in the eastern Panhandle, especially in association with rain bands.

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 Yankeetown.

UF units with operations in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Holmes counties should be prepared for tropical storm force winds tonight and follow guidance from local officials. Other areas in Florida’s Panhandle should continue to closely monitor forecasts.

No 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