TAMPA, Fla. — As the Tampa Bay area is being impacted by Tropical Storm Eta, 10 Tampa Bay is bringing you the latest information.
School districts around the Bay area dismissed classes early Wednesday, and many are closing Thursday, with some remaining closed on Friday. You can find a list of school closures and dismissals here.
Find a list of shelters opening in the area here.
Get the latest on hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings here.
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Key updates:
- Tropical Storm Eta is causing flooding across the Tampa Bay area, and storm surge remains a concern overnight.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 21 Florida counties
- Heavy rain and gusty winds continue to blanket west-central Florida
- Eta is forecast to slowly weaken overnight and then rapidly weaken after landfall tomorrow
- Damage reports are beginning to roll into our newsroom. The roof blew off an unoccupied mobile home in Venice.
Below are live Eta updates for Nov. 11, 2020.
2:15 a.m.
Some additional counties will not be getting trash pick-up on November 12 due to the impact of Tropical Storm Eta on the area.
Largo: No solid waste will be collected on Thursday.
Sarasota County: Only North Casey Key Road and Manasota Key at Blind Pass will not receive service on Thursday.
1:26 a.m.
An areal flood warning has been issued for several greater Tampa Bay area counties until 4:15 a.m.
The National Weather Service reports an additional 1-3 inches of rainfall are possible in the "warned area."
Here are the counties:
- Hardee County
- Polk County
- Sumter County
- DeSoto County
- Hernando County
- Hillsborough County
- Manatee County
- Pasco County
- Pinellas County
- Sarasota County
11:29 p.m.
Streets and businesses have been flooded across the Bay area, especially along coastal areas. People living near the beaches in Pinellas County have been experiencing rising floodwaters all night.
11:20 p.m.
The Courtney Campbell Causeway is closed in both directions due to Tropical Storm Eta. And, there's a roadblock affecting at least two lanes along the Howard Frankland Bridge.
10:44 p.m.
Tampa Bay Times reporter Josh Fiallo tweeted a video showing Bayshore Boulevard partially underwater. A broken street sign can be seen in front of crashing waves in the background.
10:12 p.m.
Video shows a restaurant flooded in John's Pass.
10:00 p.m.
High water has closed the eastbound side of the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
9:46 p.m.
9:35 p.m.
We're getting a look at flooding around the Bay area. Take a look at this video from Madiera Beach.
8:46 p.m.
An areal flood warning has been issued for Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas counties until 11:45 p.m.
The National Weather Service reports between 3-5 inches of rain have already fallen in the "warned area."
8:29 p.m.
In response to Tropical Storm Eta, Saint Leo University will be holding all classes at it's Pasco County campus virtually on Thursday, November 12.
"Students should plan to attend classes virtually through Zoom during normally scheduled times," it wrote in a press release.
8:01 p.m.
The city of Tampa's Solid Waster Department is adjusting its collection schedule due to Tropical Storm Eta.
Residential and commercial customers will not receive collection service on Thursday, November 12. Pick up will resume on "their next regularly scheduled service day." The McKay Bay Transfer Station and Scale House will resume normal operating hours on Friday, November 13.
7:51 p.m.
Gov. DeSantis said FEMA granted a pre-landfall emergency declaration for Tropical Storm Eta. This means Florida can get federal resources quicker in response to impacts from the storm.
7:37 p.m.
The Sarasota Police Department said nearly every officer is working Wednesday night to help protect the community amid heavy rain and strong winds from Tropical Storm Eta.
"We'll get through this together," the agency said on Twitter while sharing a picture of a flooded street at Gulfstream and Cocoanut.
It also shared a video from its Emergency Response Team of water covering the 200 block of John Ringling Boulevard.
"This is why we've restricted traffic on and off the island to residents and emergency traffic only," it wrote.
7:25 p.m.
An areal flood warning has been issued for Manatee and Sarasota counties until 10:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service says between 4 and 6 inches of rain has already fallen across west-central Manatee County and Sarasota County.
7:03 p.m.
Tropical Storm Eta continues to drop heavy rain and strong winds across large swaths of west-central Florida as it moves off the coast of Florida -- about 45 miles west of St. Petersburg.
As of the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Eta still has 70-mph winds and is moving north at 12 mph. There are no major changes with watches and warnings in place for Eta.
Eta is still forecast to slowly weaken as Wednesday night goes on and rapidly weaken after landfall early Thursday along the northern part of the Florida peninsula.
6:53 p.m.
Flora Avenue west of Alternative 19 in Holiday is flooded because of Tropical Storm Eta, the Pasco Sheriff's Office said.
"Remember, don't attempt to cross flooded roads, as the water may be deeper than you realize," the agency wrote on Twitter.
6:46 p.m.
Crews were called out to a home on Bradenton Beach for a report of possible electrocution at a home with standing water inside.
Once the area was de-energized, the crews found the person had died, according to Manatee County Public Safety Director Jacob Saur.
Officials also report that a firefighter suffered a minor shock in response to the electrocution. They are said to be OK.
6:40 p.m.
HART is preparing to restart service on all bus routes at noon on Thursday. That includes restarting the TECO Line Streetcar and the HART SMART AV service.
HART service ended at noon Wednesday because of Tropical Storm Eta.
5:57 p.m.
A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Manatee and Hillsborough counties, including Sun City Center, Ruskin and Wimauma, through 6:30 p.m.
5:53 p.m.
The University of South Florida has closed all campuses Wednesday evening through Thursday. Remote classes and work will continue.
USF said residence halls and dining facilities will remain open, though hours may be adjusted
Get the latest updates from USF here.
5:45 p.m.
A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Manatee County through 6 p.m.
5:28 p.m.
The University of Florida has canceled both in-person and online classes and closed its campus on Thursday because of Tropical Storm Eta.
Campus will reopen on Friday.
Get the latest updates on UF here.
5:27 p.m.
The Reversible Express Lanes on the Selmon Expressway will stay eastbound until 5 a.m. Friday.
5:21 p.m.
Florida Power and Light said it has mobilized its restoration crews in response to Tropical Storm Eta. About 9,000 crew members are responding to the storm, including many who were working to restore power in South Florida.
Teams are now deploying to the west coast, as well as north and central Florida. Crews are staged at nine sites, including the Sarasota Airport, the Daytona International Speedway and St. John's County Fairgrounds.
5:18 p.m.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's offices in Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Sarasota will remain closed through Wednesday.
5 p.m.
A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties until 5:30 p.m. That includes Sarasota, Bradenton and Ruskin.
4:45 p.m.
A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Manatee and Sarasota Counties until 5 p.m. If you live in those areas, seek shelter now.
4:41 p.m.
City leaders confirm the roof blew off an unoccupied manufactured home in Venice. They tell us it happened around 10:30 a.m. at Firenze Avenue E. & Cockrill Street in the Municipal Mobile Home Park. Nobody was hurt.
4:30 p.m.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is providing an update on Tropical Storm Eta, which she described as "less predictable than most storms." Castor says the city should be able to withstand the storm surge safely. Thursday trash pickup is canceled because city leaders do not want bins flying around. There are not yet any reports of flooding or street closures.
4 p.m.
Hillsborough County has postponed its Board of County Commissioners meeting that had been scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12. The meeting will instead be held at 9 a.m. on Nov. 16.
3:49 p.m.
In its latest advisory, the NHC said the Air Force Reconnaissance Aircraft found that Tropical Storm Eta has changed a little Wednesday afternoon. But, heavy rains and tropical-storm-force wind gusts continue across parts of west-central Florida.
The storm is about 65 miles west-southwest of St. Petersburg. It has 70-mph winds and is moving north at 12 mph.
The hurricane watch for parts of Florida's west coast has been discontinued. The tropical storm warning for the Dry Tortugas has been discontinued.
3:22 p.m.
The owners of Datz said they're closing their restaurants around the Tampa Bay area so employees can get home ahead of impacts from Tropical Storm Eta.
All locations are closed as of 3 p.m. Wednesday. Weather permitting, they'll reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Datz has two locations -- in Tampa and St. Petersburg -- along with Roux and Dough in Tampa and Dr. BBQ in St. Pete.
3:10 p.m.
Venice City Manager Ed Lavallee has issued a local state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Eta.
2:16 p.m.
The city of Sarasota has declared a local state of emergency because of Tropical Storm Eta.
"The declaration provides the City with more flexibility regarding expenditures and allocating resources, which may be necessary with storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico breaching portions of Ben Franklin Drive, additional localized street flooding, and the potential for wind damage caused by strong wind gusts and tornadoes," the city said in a release.
Public Works staff are monitoring local street flooding, especially at high tide at 9:38 p.m. Wednesday and 10:14 a.m. Thursday.
2:13 p.m.
The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will close at 4 p.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. Thursday.
All remaining departing flights from 3:10 p.m. Wednesday and 6:12 a.m. Thursday have been canceled, according to the airport's website.
2 p.m.
Pinellas County opened the following shelters:
- Ross Norton Recreation Complex (1426 S. Martin Luther King Jr Ave. Clearwater)
- Lealman Exchange (5175 45th St N, St. Petersburg)
1:42 p.m.
Some flooding is already being reported on some streets in the Shore Acres area of St. Petersburg, including on Huntington Street.
Police are asking drivers to drive slowly to avoid pushing water close to homes.
1:25 p.m.
NWS Tampa Bay canceled the tornado warning for parts of Pinellas County through 1:45 p.m.
1:16 p.m.
The St. Pete Pier said it will be closed Thursday because of Tropical Storm Eta. No visitors are allowed on the property during the closure.
1:14 p.m.
A tornado warning has been for parts of Pinellas County, including Palm Harbor, Dunedin and Crystal Beach, until 1:45 p.m.
1 p.m.
Eta has weakened back to tropical storm strength with 70-mph winds. It's currently about 115 miles southwest of Tampa and 115 miles south-southwest of Tarpon Springs.
The storm is moving north-northeast at 10 mph.
The National Hurricane Center said the center of Eta will move close to but remain just offshore of west-central Florida through Wednesday night. It's forecast to move inland over the northern portion of the Florida peninsula on Thursday.
Eta is forecast to continue slowly weakening as it approaches the coast Wednesday night, and will rapidly weaken after landfall on Thursday.
12:54 p.m.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has declared a local state of emergency for the city because of Hurricane Eta.
The declaration allows the city to coordinate efforts to prepare for potential damage, injury or loss of life or property. It also establishes a prohibition against price-gouging on supplies, the mayor said.
12:53 p.m.
A tornado warning for parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties has been extended until 1:15 p.m.
12:51 p.m.
A special marine warning has been issued for parts of northwestern Pinellas County and coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs out 20 nautical miles until 1:15 p.m.
12:46 p.m.
A tornado warning has been issued for northwestern Pinellas County, including Clearwater, Largo and Dunedin, until 1 p.m.
12:33 p.m.
Polk County Public Schools said it will be closed on Thursday due to Hurricane Eta. Schools and offices are expected to reopen on Friday.
"The decision to close schools and offices is being made out of an abundance of caution, to ensure the safety of our students, parents and employees," the district wrote in a release.
12:27 p.m.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has amended an emergency declaration 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.
The governor's office said DeSantis has also sent a letter to President Trump requesting an emergency declaration for Hurricane Eta.
12:24 p.m.
A tornado warning has been issued for Hillsborough and Manatee counties and Sun City Center, Ruskin and Apollo Beach until 12:45 p.m.
12:22 p.m.
A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Pinellas County, including St. Petersburg, Largo and Pinellas Park, until 12:45 p.m.
12:07 p.m.
ZooTampa said it's closed as of noon Tuesday and will remain closed through Thursday because of inclement weather ahead of Hurricane Eta.
"We encourage our guests to check our website and social media channels for updates on park hours and operations," the zoo wrote on Twitter.
The zoo sent the following statement about measures to protect its animals:
ZooTampa has a comprehensive severe weather preparedness plan in place to ensure the safety of our animals and team members. As Hurricane ETA's path moves towards the Tampa Bay area, our team continues to make preparations for the incoming storm, including securing loose items. We take every precaution to ensure the safety and security of our animals including moving larger animals into their night houses, which are built to withstand major storms, and smaller mammals and birds into ancillary buildings. Additionally, if the situation warrants it, we will institute a storm-ride-out-team made up of animal care professionals and veterinary staff. The Zoo is continually monitoring the weather and will take all precautions as conditions warrant.
11:54 a.m.
A tornado warning is in effect until 12:30 p.m. for parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties as Hurricane Eta makes an approach to the coastline.
11:35 a.m.
All city of Tampa parks will be closing at 1 p.m. Wednesday due to the impacts of Hurricane Eta.
11:18 a.m.
Manatee County issues voluntary evacuation notice for Anna Maria Island residents and people living in low-lying areas.
County leaders urge residents to use area shelters as a last resort. You can find shelter locations here.
"The biggest concern with a public shelter this year is the potential spread of COVID-19," Litschauer said. "Shelter capacity is diminished so we cannot stress enough that the shelters must be a refuge of last resort. Find somewhere else to go, if you can."
All MCAT operations will be suspended starting at 1 p.m.
All public beaches in the county are closed Wednesday and Thursday and beach parking lots will become staging areas for sandbag distribution. You can find a list of county sandbag areas here.
Yesterday, Manatee County leaders declared a local state of emergency ahead of now-Hurricane Eta.
11:02 a.m.
A crash involving a truck has shut down all lanes of I-275 North, before 22nd Ave N in St. Petersburg.
11 a.m.
Tampa International airport will suspend operations at 3 p.m. today due to Hurricane Eta. Passengers should check with their airlines for updates on their flight status.
10:47 a.m.
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit is suspending all service beginning at noon today in preparation for Eta.
10:45 a.m.
FHP troopers are closing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge due to reported wind speeds of 50 mph. Drivers are urged to seek alternate routes.
10:29 a.m.
Storm surge warnings have been updated from the Anclote River to Boca Grande, Florida -- including for the Tampa Bay area. Meteorologists now say a 3-5 foot storm surge is possible in the Tampa Bay area, as a result of Eta.
10:23 a.m.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is suspending service on all routes at noon today and advising riders to return home as soon as possible.
9:37 a.m.
Hillsborough County Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday so some buildings can be used as shelters for Hurricane Eta.
9:07 a.m.
Pasco County Schools will dismiss students early Wednesday and will be closed Thursday ahead of Eta.
Here is the early release schedule:
- Schools that normally release during the 2 o’clock hour (most high schools) will release at 11 a.m.
- Schools that normally release during the 3 o’clock hour (most middle schools) will release at noon.
- Schools that normally release at the 4 o’clock hour (most elementary schools) will release at 1 p.m.
- All district staff will be released by 2 p.m.
All extracurricular events and activities Wednesday and Thursday are canceled.
8:45 a.m.
Pinellas County Schools will dismiss students early Wednesday and will be closed Thursday ahead of Eta.
School leaders say they are dismissing early "in an abundance of caution."
- High schools will be dismissed at 10 a.m.
- Elementary schools will dismiss at 11 a.m.
- Middle schools will dismiss at noon.
All extracurricular events and activities Wednesday and Thursday are canceled.
Meal distribution is canceled for Thursday.
8:30 a.m.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay says it will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, because of Eta.
8 a.m.
A tornado watch has been issued for Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota County until 5 p.m.
7:45 a.m.
The National Hurricane Center says Eta has reached Category 1 hurricane strength. The storm is currently about 170 miles south-southwest of Tampa and has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. Eta is moving at about 15 mph.
7:38 a.m.
The drive-through COVID-19 testing site at Tropicana Field will not open Wednesday due to anticipated high winds associated with Tropical Storm Eta.
6:35 a.m.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman announced the 7th annual Veterans Day ceremony will be postponed.
5:45 a.m.
A travel advisory has been issued for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The bridge is still open but drivers are asked to use caution due to strong winds.
5:12 a.m.
A hurricane watch has been issued for Manatee and Hernando counties.
4 a.m.
A hurricane watch has been issued for Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County and Citrus County.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for Polk County.
3 a.m.
Eta is moving toward the north-northeast near 9 mph. On the forecast track the center of Eta will move closer to the southwest coast of Florida but remains offshore today as it approaches the west-central coast of Florida Wednesday night, and move inland over the northern portion of the Florida peninsula on Thursday.
WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
Hurricane watch
- Anna Maria Island to Yankeetown
Tropical storm warning
- Dry Tortugas
- Bonita Beach to Suwannee River, Florida
Storm surge watch
- Bonita Beach to Steinhatchee River, Florida, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor
Tropical storm watch
- Cuban provinces of La Habana, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Pinar del Rio and Isle of Youth
- North of the Suwannee River to Aucilla River, Florida
SANDBAG DISTRIBUTION:
Pasco County
Western Pasco County is under a Tropical Storm Watch until further notice, meaning tropical-storm-force winds are possible in the next 48 hours. Residents are encouraged to store and secure loose items around their home and yard.
Four, self-serve sandbag stations are now open 24 hours to Pasco County residents to help protect property from potential flooding. Sand and bags are available at the following locations:
- Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn): 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio
- Magnolia Valley Golf Course: 7223 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey
- Pasco Fire Rescue Station 17: 2951 Seven Springs Blvd., New Port Richey
- Veterans Memorial Park: 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
Sand will only be restocked between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. You should bring a shovel and be prepared to fill your own sandbags.
The county has also provided a video to learn how to use sandbags effectively: bit.ly/PascoSandbags.
Polk County
Beginning Nov. 9, the following locations will provide sand and sandbags, so bring your shovel and get prepared.
Sandbag fill site locations are:
- Mulberry – 900 NE 5th St., Mulberry (863) 519-4734
- Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland (863) 815-6701
- Ft. Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade (863) 285-6588
- Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof (863) 635-7879
- Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale (863) 965-5524
- Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee (863) 421-3367
- Poinciana – Association of Poinciana Villages (APV) Public Works facility, 2012 Hemlock Ave., Poinciana
Residents living in flood-prone areas are encouraged to sandbag their homes.
RELATED: Tracking Eta: NOAA finds storm a little stronger, tropical storm warning issued for Tampa Bay area
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