Update: October 29, 2020 at 8:30 am ET
Tropical Storm Zeta made landfall as a strong Category 2 hurricane near Cocodrie, Louisiana, in Terrebonne Bay Wednesday afternoon.
According to Weather.com, the storm system brought damaging wind gusts and heavy rain as it moved inland through parts of the south, including winds reaching nearly 50 miles per hour at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
Strong and damaging wind gusts, which could cause tree damage and power outages, will spread inland into parts of southeastern Mississippi, Alabama, northern Georgia, the Carolinas, and southeastern Virginia overnight and during the Thursday due to Zeta’s rapid forward speed. #Zeta pic.twitter.com/43lJDLXgC2
– National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 29, 2020
Airlines serving the region proactively canceled select flights in the storm’s projected track and continue to monitor the storm to make necessary adjustments. Current travel exemptions are in effect for select cities in Louisiana, Florida and Alabama for travel on October 28 and 29.
Hurricane Zeta continues to strengthen as it approaches the US Gulf Coast to make landfall on Wednesday.
According to Weather.com, hurricane warnings have been issued from Morgan City, Louisiana, to the Mississippi / Alabama border, including the New Orleans metropolitan area. The life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and heavy rains are expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon into the evening.
The tendency to intensify #Zeta keep going. Conditions along the northern Gulf Coast will begin to deteriorate around noon. Https://t.co/52NAfUyNeI? pic.twitter.com/JP7ELwptYN
– National Weather Service (@NWS) October 28, 2020
The storm surge warning includes areas from Intracoastal City, Louisiana, to Navarre, Florida, while a tropical storm warning is also in effect for parts of southern Mississippi, Alabama, the western tip of Florida, and northern Georgia.
Damaging winds, especially in gusts, will sweep inland over parts of southeastern Mississippi and southern and central Alabama tonight due to Zeta’s rapid forward speed. More details on local weather hazards at https://t.co/SiZo8ohZMN #Zeta pic.twitter.com/oIgZwtqaOx
– National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 28, 2020
Zeta is also expected to bring rains to the east coast through the end of the week, as the storm interacts with another weather system.
#Zeta continues to strengthen as maximum sustained winds have reached 90 mph. As the system gets closer to shore, there will be an increased possibility of dangerous winds, storm surge, and severe weather. Our teams are ALIVE in the field and ready to help you ride through the storm. pic.twitter.com/s7RjXs9DKz
– The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 28, 2020
As a result, several major airlines have issued travel alerts, eliminated modified fares, and capped fares to airports in the projected path of the storm. Zeta could affect at least nine coastal airports in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Airlines such as American, Delta, Frontier, jetBlue, Southwest and United have issued travel advisories for the region.
Amtrak has adjusted its schedule and services on the Sunset Limited, Crescent and City of New Orleans routes due to the anticipated path of Tropical Storm Zeta. There will be no substitute transportation available to and from New Orleans.
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