Tropical Storm Eta headlines from Wednesday

TAMPA, Fla. — Tropical Story Eta is forecast to impact coastal regions of the Tampa Bay, we're bringing you real-time updates on the latest local impacts.

HURRICANE RESOURCES

• Report a power outage
• Schools closures
• Sandbag locations
• Hurricane Center
• Local Forecast
• Radar
• Open Shelters

5:30 a.m.

→ Click here for Thursday's live updates

1:19 a.m.

Flood Warning issued for Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasota, Polk, Manatee, DeSoto, Hardee and Hernando Counties until 4:15 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11

11:45 p.m.

Two northbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge are closed due to storm surge

11:36 p.m.

Tropical Storm Eta has caused some major flooding in Madeira Beach

11:24 p.m.

Sarasota County has seen persistent flooding as Tropical Storm Eta moves over the area. Reporter Haley Bull has the latest

11:10 p.m.

The rain has calmed down in the St. Pete area but it has left behind some major flooding

11:07 p.m.

Heavy rain has caused flooding in the Pasco County area. Reporter Erik Waxler has the latest

10:47 p.m.

Both directions of the Courtney Campell Causeway has been shut down due to rising water

10:18 p.m.

Flash Flood Warning issued for Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties until 1:15 a.m.

10:13 p.m.

Eastbound Courtney Campbell Causeway has closed due to rising water

9:53 p.m.

South End of 22nd St. around Oakwood and all of Oceanview is flooded. Drivers are asked to avoid the area

9:36 p.m.

POWER OUTAGE UPDATES:

TECO:

• Total customers out: 3,127

DUKE:

Pasco:

• Active outages: 64
• Customers without power: 6,014
• Total customers served: 150,231

Pinellas:

• Active outages: 508
• Customers without power: 24,826
• Total customers served: 551,226

FPL:

Sarasota County:

• Total Customers in County: 280,500
• Total Customers Out: 4,530

Manatee County:

• Total Customers in County: 193,900
• Total Customers Out: 1,920

9:18 p.m.

All north and southbound lanes of Duhme Road in Seminole between American Legion Drive and Tom Stuart Causeway have been closed due to flooding from Tropical Storm Eta.

9:05 p.m.

Bayshore Blvd. from W. Santiago to Rome Ave. is underwater. Drivers are asked to avoid the area

8:43 p.m.

Flood Warning issued for Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas Counties until 11:45 p.m.

8:38 p.m.

In response to Tropical Storm Eta, Wells Fargo branches in Pasco County are expected to open at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12.

8:30 p.m.

Heavy rain and gusty winds continues at Clearwater Beach. Reporter Ryan Smith has the latest

8:29 p.m.

President Donald J. Trump declared that an emergency exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal assistance to supplement the State’s response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Eta beginning on November 7, 2020, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Alachua, Citrus, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hernando, Hillsborough, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Sumter.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

Pete Gaynor, Administrator, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security, named Jeffrey L. Coleman as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

8:09 p.m.

Rain is beginning to pour down in Sarasota as Eta moves over Tampa Bay

8:05 p.m.

Rain is starting to pick and up intensify at Clearwater Beach. Reporter Ryan Smith has the latest

7:55 p.m.

7:31 p.m.

Flood Warning issued for Manatee and Sarasota Counties until 10:15 p.m. A Flood Advisory has been issued for Pinellas County until 10:30 p.m.

7:18 p.m.

1 dead after electrocution inside Manatee County home during Tropical Storm Eta, officials say

7:16 p.m.

Tropical Storm Eta is giving the newly opened St Pete Pier it's first storm test.

7:14 p.m.

Reporter Ryan Smith is on Clearwater Beach as the conditions continue to intensify as Tropical Storm Eta moves over Tampa Bay.

7:01 p.m.

City of Tampa canceled trash, recycling and yard waste collection for Thursday, Nov. 12 due to Eta. More info at tampagov.net/SolidWaste

6:42 p.m.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) is preparing to restart service on all bus routes, the TECO Line Streetcar and HART SMART AV service beginning at noon on Thursday, Nov. 12 following Tropical Storm Eta and weather permitting.

6:17 p.m.

Power Outage update:

TECO

• Total Customers out: 2,636

Duke

• Active Outages: 132
• Customers Without Power: 5,591

FPL —
Sarasota:

• Total Customers in County: 280,500
• Total Customers Out: 4,200

Manatee:

• Total Customers in County: 193,900
• Total Customers Out: 2,800

6:08 p.m.

Pasco County is now calm after downpours of rain this afternoon

6:05 p.m.

Conditions at Clearwater Beach are beginning to pick up as Eta approaches the Tampa Bay area

6:04 p.m.

People in Pinellas County are experiencing power outages as Eta brings strong winds

6 p.m.

Tornado Warning issued for Hillsborough and Manatee Counties until 6:30 p.m.

5:50 p.m.

Tornado Warning in Manatee County extended until 6 p.m.

5:38 p.m.

People in Tarpon Springs are prepared for whatever conditions come their way as Eta approaches

5:36 p.m.

There has been steady rain and winds in Tampa. Reporter Mary O'Connell has the latest

5:25 p.m.

The Reversible Express Lanes (REL) on the Selmon Expressway will remain eastbound until 5 a.m. on Friday, November 13, 2020. Normal hours of operation will then resume.

5:12 p.m.

Reporter Michael Paluska speaks on conditions at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg

5:10 p.m.

Florida Power and Light Company is responding to outages caused by Tropical Storm Eta as it affects parts of Florida, including the Tampa Bay area

5:09 p.m.

Reporter Sarah Hollenbeck gives us the latest on the gusty winds at Treasure Island. Hurricane shelters have opened in Pinellas County

5:01 p.m.

Reporter Wendi Lane says Manatee County officials have issued a voluntary evacuation for some parts of the area

5 p.m.

Tornado Warnings issued for parts of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota Counties until 5:30 p.m.

4:45 p.m.

Tornado Warnings issued for parts of Manatee and Sarasota Counties until 5 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor provides information as Tropical Storm Eta moves into the Tampa Bay area

4:18 p.m.

DUKE ENERGY PINELLAS OUTAGES:

• Active Outages: 55
• Customers Without Power: 1,720
• Total Customers Served: 551,226

Sarasota power outages via FPL map:

• Out: 3,960
• Restored: 3,460
• Affected: 7,420

• Served: 280,500

Withlacoochee River Electric cooperative reports for central Pasco area:

• Outage Reported:1757

TECO numbers for Tampa area:

• Total outages: 287

Manatee outages via FPL map:

• Out: 620
• Restored: 980
• Affected: 1,600
• Total served: 193,900

4:16 p.m.

Reporter Michael Paluska is in Shore Acres, an area known for flooding

4:07 p.m.

Reporter Sarah Hollenbeck is in Treasure Island where they are beginning to see some of the early signs of Tropical Storm Eta.

4:05 p.m.

Conditions worsen in Palma Sola Bay in Manatee County as Tropical Storm Eta moves into the Tampa Bay area.

3:39 p.m.

Reporter Heather Leigh shows how businesses in Tarpon Springs have prepared for flooding ahead of Tropical Storm Eta.

3:36 p.m.

Tampa and Hillsborough County leaders are getting ready for Eta’s impact.

3:10 p.m.

Pinellas County leaders doing last minute preps for Tropical Storm Eta.

3:07 p.m.

Reporter Wendi Lane shows what it looks like in Manatee County where emergency management issued voluntary evacuations for people on Anna Maria Island and in low-lying areas.

3:04 p.m.

Due to Tropical Storm Eta, the St. Pete Pier will be closed today, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. and all day tomorrow, Nov. 12. No visitors are allowed on the property.

2:40 p.m.

Sarasota-Bradenton Airport closing at 4 p.m. due to Eta. Officials say they expect to reopen Thursday morning.

2:06 p.m.

City of Sarasota declares local state of emergency.

1:45 p.m.

Pasco County issues local state of emergency.

1:30 p.m.

Some street flooding reported in St. Pete, police say.

1:26 p.m.

Tornado Warning canceled early for Pinellas County.

1:14 p.m.

Tornado Warning issued for Pinellas County until 1:45 p.m.

1:13 p.m.

Tornado Warning expires for Pinellas, Hillsborough counties.

12:59 p.m.

Eta downgrades to tropical storm with 70 mph winds.

12:52 p.m.

Tornado Warning issued for Pinellas, Hillsborough counties until 1:15 p.m.

12:46 p.m.

Tornado Warning for Pinellas County extended until 1 p.m.

12:44 p.m.

Pinellas County declares local state of emergency. No evacuations have been ordered at this time.

• The Board of County Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency for Hurricane Eta.
• The County Information Center is now open 24 hours for storm questions. Call 727-464-4333.
  • Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the County Information Center via online chat at www.bit.ly/PinellasChat [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com].
• The Emergency Operations Center is currently open 24 hours.
• Pinellas County is not currently distributing sandbags. Residents should check with their local municipality for local sandbag sites.
  • Note that sandbags can not protect against storm surge.

Emergency shelters will open at 12 p.m.

• Ross Norton Recreation Complex (1426 S. Martin Luther King Jr Ave. Clearwater, FL 33756)
• Lealman Exchange (5175 45th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714)
• COVID-19 rapid testing will be available at both shelters. Hotels will be available for any COVID-19 positive residents seeking shelter.
• Masks will be required while inside the shelters. Masks, gloves and sanitizer will be available for residents at both shelters. Each shelter will afford 60 sq ft of space per household to enable safer social distancing.

12:41 p.m.

Tornado Warning canceled early for Hillsborough and Manatee counties ahead of 12:45 p.m.

Pinellas County warning continues until 12:45 p.m.

12:35 p.m.

Hernando County declared local state of emergency, which gives the county authority to take action as needed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our community.

Voluntary evacuations have been issued for coastal zone A and mobile homes. Click here to check your zone.

12:27 p.m.

Metropolitan Ministries will be closing its holiday tent locations and family support centers in both Tampa and Pasco at 3 p.m. today due to Hurricane Eta and a tornado watch. The current plan is to reopen at noon tomorrow, November 12, or as weather conditions permit.

12:27 p.m.

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-278 regarding Hurricane Eta to include the following counties: Alachua, Broward, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota and Sumter Counties.

12:26 p.m.

Tornado Warning issued for Hillsborough and Manatee counties until 12:45 p.m.

12:22 p.m.

Tornado Warning issued for Pinellas County until 12:45 p.m.

12:18 p.m.

Tornado Warning canceled early for Manatee, Sarasota counties.

12:11 p.m.

Effectively immediately, all construction work on the Selmon Extension project has been temporarily suspended. All crews will secure the construction equipment in preparation for the strong force winds anticipated from Hurricane ETA.

11:58 a.m.

Tornado Warning issued for Manatee, Sarasota counties until 12:30 p.m.

11:39 a.m.

ZooTampa will close at 12 p.m. on Wednesday and will remain closed on Thursday.

11:22 a.m.

Manatee County Emergency officials have issued a voluntary evacuation notice for residents of Anna Maria Island and other low-lying, flood-prone areas.

Schools in the district will shift to e-learning on Thursday and Friday, and officials say public beaches are closed Wednesday and Thursday.

11:09 a.m.

Tampa International Airport to suspend all operations at 3 p.m. All operations are expected to resume on Thursday by 12 p.m. but could reopen earlier.

The 3 p.m. closure will allow the airport to prepare the airfield and terminals, including the securing of jet bridges, ground equipment and any remaining aircraft.

Passengers are encouraged to check with their airlines for flight status updates.

10:54 a.m.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) plans to suspend all bus routes, the TECO Line Streetcar and HART SMART AV service beginning at 12 p.m.

10:49 a.m.

FHP closes the Sunshine Skyway Bridge due to 50 mph wind speeds.

10:22 a.m.

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will suspend service starting at 12 p.m. Service will resume as soon as it's deemed safe after Eta passes.

All PSTA terminals, including Park Street, Grand Central Station, and Pinellas Park will be closed as well. PSTA urges all passengers who rely on bus service to get to their destinations do so before the suspension of service.

9:39 a.m.

Hillsborough County leaders declare local state of emergency. Schools in the county are closed on Thursday and Friday, students will transition to remote learning.

• No evacuations have been issued
• Five emergency storm shelters will open today at 1 p.m. for residents concerned for their safety
  • Steinbrenner High School (pet-friendly), 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road
  • Burnett Middle School (pet-friendly), 1010 N. Kingsway Road
  • Middleton High School, 4801 N. 22nd St.
  • Reddick Elementary School, 325 West Lake Drive
  • Sickles High School (pet-friendly) and Family Shelter, 7950 Gunn Highway
• Health screenings and temperature checks will take place at shelter doors; face masks required while inside
• Hillsborough County’s Customer Call Center will be open until 5 p.m. today -> 813-272-5900

9 a.m.

Sarasota County Schools will release early on Wednesday. Officials are monitoring the storm to determine if schools will be closed on Thursday

Pasco County Schools will release early on Wednesday and will be closed on Thursday.

→ LIST: Tampa Bay area schools releasing early, closing due to Eta

8:45 a.m.

Pinellas County Schools will release early on Wednesday and will be closed on Thursday out of an abundance of caution.

Wednesday dismissal times:

• High Schools: 10:00 a.m.
• Elementary Schools: 11:00 a.m.
• Middle Schools: 12 p.m.

8:30 a.m.

Busch Gardens closes Wednesday due to inclement weather from Eta.

8:02 a.m.

Tornado Watch issued for parts of the Tampa Bay area until 5 p.m.

7:55 a.m.

Tropical Storm Eta strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.

7:45 a.m.

Drive-thru COVID-19 Test Site at Tropicana Field closing due to high wind forecast.

7 a.m.

Meteorologist Greg Dee says a tornado watch is possible south of the Tampa Bay area later this morning as strong storms move into the region.

6:26 a.m.

St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman says the 7th annual Veterans Day ceremony is postponed due to Eta.

6:25 a.m.

The Tropicana Field COVID-19 testing site closes at 12 p.m. on Wednesday due to Eta.

5:21 a.m.

Meteorologist Greg Dee says the latest NHC forecast brings tropical storm winds into Sarasota County by Wednesday afternoon.

4:45 a.m.

A Hurricane Watch is in place for most of the Tampa Bay area Wednesday morning ahead of Tropical Storm Eta. The storm is nearly at hurricane strength with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.

ABC Action News Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips says our area will experience the heaviest weather Wednesday night into Thursday.

Tuesday, November 10

10:51 p.m.

A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch has been issued for the Tampa Bay area based on an updated track of Eta, according to the National Hurricane Center's 10 p.m. update.

8:55 p.m.

Effective 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) set modified port condition Yankee for the ports of Tampa, St. Petersburg, Manatee, and Ft. Myers due to the expectation of sustained gale force winds from Tropical Storm Eta that may arrive within 24 hours. Mariners can view the latest port updates on the Coast Guard’s Homeport site.

4 p.m.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for coastal regions of the Tampa Bay area due to the updated track of Eta, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

6 a.m.

NHC says Eta slightly strengthened in its latest advisory. The storm is off the coast of Cuba and flooding over western Cuba and south Florida continues.

5 a.m.

Meteorologist Greg Dee the latest models are shifting the storm away from the Tampa Bay area.

4 a.m.

The National Hurricane Center says Eta is currently stationary just north of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Monday, November 9

10 p.m.

According to the NHC's 10 p.m. update on Monday, Eta is expected to restrengthen as it meanders over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday.

4 p.m.
According to the NHC's 4 p.m. update on Monday, the storm is 140 miles west-southwest of Dry Tortugas, Florida, and has winds of 50 mph. The system is moving southwest at 16 mph.

1 p.m.

NHC cancels all watches and warnings in Florida. Eta is getting slightly weaker, with maximum sustained winds now at 50 mph.

12:45 p.m.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge reopens after FHP closed it early Monday morning due to high winds.

12 p.m.

ABC Action News' Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips says Eta is likely to strengthen during the middle of the week and bring gusty winds to the Tampa Bay area on Thursday and Friday.

10 a.m.

The tropical storm warnings for all of the Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys, excluding the Dry Tortugas, have been discontinued.

9:45 a.m.

Manatee County Emergency Management officials urge those who live in the county to monitor the storm over the coming days. The County's Emergency Operations Center is in a partial (Level 2) activation this week.

If you live in the county, you can expect some winds and rain on Monday and into Tuesday night.

Manatee County’s new 311 call center will field calls from the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week.

The county will provide an update during a virtual meeting at 10:30 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

As we continue to track Eta, two more tropical systems are likely to develop in the Atlantic over the coming days.

7:30 a.m.

NHC Director Ken Graham provides an update on Tropical Storm Eta.

7 a.m.

FHP Miami alerted motorists to expect delays due to the severe weather from Eta and a crash involving a semi-truck.

6:30 a.m.

Hardee and DeSoto County schools are closed on Monday. They join Highlands and Sarasota county schools.

5:30 a.m.

Florida Highway Patrol closes Sunshine Skyway Bridge due to high winds.

5 a.m.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in place for some Tampa Bay area locations, and some local schools are closed on Monday due to the storm.

• LIST: Tampa Bay area schools closed Monday due to Tropical Storm Eta
• ETA: The latest on the storm forecast and local impacts

4 a.m.

The National Hurricane Center says Eta will bring tropical storm conditions to parts of the Keys, as well as south and central Florida on Monday.

3 a.m.

Attorney General Ashley Moody expanded the state's Price Gouging Hotline to include supplies that might be needed due to Tropical Storm Eta.

Click here for more information.

Shelter Information

• Pinellas County
  • Ross Norton Recreation Complex (1426 S. Martin Luther King Jr Ave. Clearwater, FL 33756)
  • Lealman Exchange (5175 45th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714)

• Hillsborough County
  • Steinbrenner High School (pet-friendly), 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road
  • Burnett Middle School (pet-friendly), 1010 N. Kingsway Road
  • Middleton High School, 4801 N. 22nd St.
  • Reddick Elementary School, 325 West Lake Drive
  • Sickles High School (pet-friendly) and Family Shelter, 7950 Gunn Highway