TAMPA, Fla — Here are live updates for Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, for the Tampa Bay area as it braces for impacts from Tropical Storm Eta.
The center of Eta is moving west off the coast of southwest Florida this morning with bands of showers, pockets of heavy rain, and squally conditions spiraling across the Florida Peninsula and into Tampa Bay.
12:40 p.m.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has reopened after being shut down due to high winds.
10:45 a.m.
Manatee County Emergency Management announced plans to brief the county commissioners Tuesday, Nov. 10 and petition the board to declare a local state of emergency. Emergency management leaders say the local state of emergency is part of its two-phased approach to Tropical Storm Eta.
10:29 a.m.
The Tropical Storm Warning has been canceled for all of the Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys, excluding the Dry Tortugas. Tampa remains in the cone of uncertainty.
9:46 a.m.
Meteorologist Natalie Ferrari is tracking light to moderate rain showers that are moving through the Tampa Bay area.
5 a.m.
The Florida Department of Transportation shut down the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to all traffic due to high winds.
4:25 a.m.
The Florida Department of Transportation closed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge down to high-profile vehicles because of strong winds.
4 a.m.
Tropical storm warnings are now in effect for Hardee, Sarasota and Manatee counties.
School closures and class cancelations:
Highlands County:
The school district made the call Sunday night to cancel classes at all of its schools for Monday, November 9.
"It was determined that the Highlands County forecast has changed and that we could experience potentially stronger wind gusts as well as tornado watches and or warnings through the day tomorrow," the district wrote.
Sarasota County:
The school district has made the call to close all schools on Monday, Nov. 9 due to Tropical Storm Eta. School officials thanked families and reminded them to stay safe.
Hardee County:
The school district has made the call to cancel classes Monday "to ensure all students and employee safety." School officials say they are concerned about wind gusts. You can read the full statement here.
Pasco County:
As of now the district has not canceled classes but is "closely" monitoring the storm.
"The path and severity of the storm remain unclear. At this time, the storm is having no immediate impact on Pasco schools," it wrote.
Families should keep tabs with the school district in the coming days for updates.
Pinellas County:
The school district says schools will remain open Monday but realizes that portions of the county are prone to flooding. Families are asked to assess their situations and decide what is in the best interest of the safety of their students.
Hillsborough County:
The county plans to have school as scheduled at this time but is monitoring the storm. District Superintendent Addison Davis tweeted earlier today saying the Hillsborough County Public Schools Emergency Management Team has been watching the storm.
Manatee County:
School is not impacted for students in Manatee County. The district will open for business as usual on Monday.
"There is the possibility that Tropical Storm Eta could have more of a direct impact on Manatee County later this week," it wrote.
Polk County:
The school district projects that school will be conducted "as normal" this week.
