The tropical storm will bring heavy rain and strong winds to southwest Florida from Monday. Here’s what you need to know:
What’s the latest?
Lower Matakambe Key, F.L. Eta is now back on the Florida Straits after a landfill fell at 11:00 a.m. Monday. According to a recent update from the National Hurricane Center, Etna winds have remained stable at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. It is moving 14 miles west-northwest.
Eta predicts turning west until tonight, with our coast barely missing in the south. Eta deals with the dry air which has helped keep it more intense on Sundays. The National Hurricane Center has yet to become an ETA Class 1 hurricane by Tuesday morning.
Even so, the hurricane’s epicenter will be south of us, with the worst of the weather being on the north and Easter sides. As such, we are going to see a long stretch of drizzle and heavy rain during the period starting tonight and heavy Monday.
Clocks and Alerts:
Tropical Storm Warnings include Desotto, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, and Inland Collier counties. A tropical storm and watch is in effect for Desoto.
Hurricane Watch is in effect for coastal parts of the SWFL south of Bonita Beach; These include Naples, Marco Island and Everglades City. A storm surge clock is in effect off the coast of Collier County.
Heavy rains / floods
Steep rains will wash away strong bands in the area overnight, with coverage and intensity increasing Monday morning as the area moves south into the area.
The average rainfall will be highest in the south of Kalosahatchi, where -6–6% rainfall will occur. Some places in South Collier could see more, which would lead to flooding. Be careful on roads, especially during Monday morning trips, as flood-prone roads are possible.
Remember: Rotate, don’t drown!
Gummy winds
All SWFLs are now under tropical storm warning – you can expect the wind to have an overnight tropical storm force (40 mph) overnight. The strongest winds will be along the coast, especially in Collier where the hurricane clock is in effect. The wind will blow for more than 60 miles.
While the worst winds will be tonight / early Monday, we will see winds blowing near and beyond the tropical storm force during Tuesday through Tuesday.
Before the wind blows today, go around your yard and pick up / tie anything that may be scattered tonight. Build things like patio furniture, outdoor potted plants, etc. or bring them inside.
This long-term tropical-storm-force wind will bring severe stress to the power grid, while a combination of strong winds and saturated plains will bring down some trees.
I’m hopeful we won’t see field-wide currents, but some of us probably will. Will lose power, especially in Collier tonight.
Coastal floods:
The coast facing south will experience some storm surges in the next few days, especially during high tide. The storm trend will never reach the evacuation criteria, but the tide will submerge some low-lying areas and run 1-3 feet above normal during the middle week. The storm surge clock is in effect off the coast of Collier County.
Clearly boating is not advised in the next few days, as a stagnant eta will continue the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Expect a wavelength of 4-6 feet off our coast during the middle of the week, also picking up with hurricanes passing around 7-10 feet tonight and Monday.
Cyclone:
A few weak spin-up tornadoes will be possible in the rain bands that have penetrated the area tonight.
Like everything else I’ve discussed above, the greatest risk of this would be in Collier County. This way, the alert is a way to receive if you are issued one and when before bed tonight.
The daytime conditions should improve on Monday, but we will find Eta in the Gulf of Mexico slowly moving north for a whole week. ABC 7 air for non-air and latest! Stick to online!
