Hurricane Zeta Update - October 28, 2020 10AM

Click HERE for an update concerning Hurricane Zeta. 

Changes from previous update: 

• Storm surge values have increased for coastal areas west of Port Fourchon.

Overview:

• The current forecast calls for Zeta to make landfall, possibly as a Category 2 hurricane in Southeast Louisiana by late this afternoon.
• This system will bring a multi-hazard threat to the area.

Confidence:

• Significant impacts are expected across portions of SE LA and S MS.
• High confidence exists in the magnitude of the impacts.

Impacts:

Wind:

• Sustained hurricane force winds are expected across a large swath of SE LA and coastal MS.

• These winds will likely result in downed and uprooted trees, power outages, and damage to weaker and poorly constructed structures. 

Storm Surge:

• 6 to 9 feet of inundation is possible from the Mouth of the Pearl River to the MS/AL line.

• 5 to 8 ft of inundation will be possible along immediate coastal areas from Port Fourchon to the mouth of the MS River

• 5 to 7 feet of inundation from the MS River to the Pearl River

• 4 to 6 feet of inundation for the immediate coastal areas west of Port Fourchon

• 3 to 5 feet of inundation for Lake Pontarchartrain

• 1 to 3 feet of inundation for the shores of Lake Maurepas.

• Storm surge impacts will be greatest this afternoon into this evening.

• Expect several low-lying, coastal roads to become impassable due to flooding.

• Some areas may become cut off or inaccessible.

Rainfall/Flooding:

• Rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is currently forecast. Locally higher amounts will be possible. The highest rain totals will be along and east of the center.

• Expect ponding of water in low lying areas and some potential for localized flash flooding.

• Rainfall impacts are expected today through tonight.

Wind and tornado:

• A few tornadoes will be possible in the storm’s rain bands mainly to the east of the center. Tornadoes in these situations are typically short-lived, but they move very quickly. The highest tornado threat will generally be across areas southeast of a line from Houma to Covington to Poplarville.

The attached briefing highlights the threats associated with this system.

Additional Information and Resources:

NWS New Orleans Website: www.weather.gov/neworleans

NWS New Orleans DSS Website: http://www.weather.gov/lix/embrief

NWS New Orleans Tropical Page: https://www.weather.gov/srh/tropical?office=lix

River Gauges and Forecasts: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lix

NWS New Orleans Facebook: www.facebook.com/NWSNewOrleans

NWS New Orleans Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSNewOrleans

Online Severe Weather Reporting: https://www.weather.gov/lix/submit_storm_report

National Hurricane Center Website: https:///www.nhc.noaa.gov

Next Update and Contact Information:

The next update will be sent after the 4PM advisory. If you have any questions in the interim or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 504-522-7330 or 985-649-0429. Use extension 4 to speak with a forecaster. Alternatively, you can reach us by email by replying to this message or sending an email to sr-lix.forecasters@noaa.gov. Both methods will be delivered to the forecasters on shift at the office.

Regards,

Megan Williams

Meteorologist

NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge

Vicki Travis LEM Deputy Director

Homeland Security & Emergency Management

Phone: 985-748-2271 Mobile: 985-634-0234 Email: vtravis@tangipahoa.org Website: www.tangipahoa.org