Monday update: A tropical storm warning issued for the Treasure Coast was lifted Monday as Tropical Storm Eta moves southwest toward the Gulf of Mexico, officials said.
But, a 60 to 80 percent chance of showers was still expected to sweep through Indian River County until Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. Eastern winds will be between 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
A high surf advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. Tuesday, forecasters said. A wind advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. Monday.
A flood watch advisory previously issued for the area expired Monday, emergency service officials said.
Eta was traveling southwest at 16 mph Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm has 50 mph maximum sustained winds.
Sunday update:
A tropical storm watch for the Treasure Coast was upgraded to a tropical storm warning Sunday, weather officials said. The weather advisory comes as Tropical Storm Eta continues to slowly spread over the southern Florida coast.
A flood watch advisory is also in effect until early Tuesday, forecasters said. A high surf advisory remains in place until Monday evening.
Earlier story:
Weather officials issued a tropical storm watch Saturday for the Treasure Coast ahead of Tropical Storm Eta, expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to the area starting Sunday.
Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties could see up to 6 inches of rainfall, along with 30 mph winds with gusts up to 40 mph, meteorologists said. Forecasters said the bad weather conditions could last up until Monday.
“Weather conditions will get worse within the next 24 hours,” National Weather Service in Melbourne Meteorologist Scott Kelly said.
Eta could bring flooding rain, storm surge and isolated tornadoes to the area.
11/7 1:30pm | Here's a look at the latest threats and impacts for east central Florida from Tropical Storm #Eta.
You can find the latest updates to these products, as well as other helpful information here: https://t.co/7jjote9QWw pic.twitter.com/2rG6vDLZVX
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) November 7, 2020
Tropical Storm Eta was traveling northeast at 17 mph over the Caribbean, according to a 1 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. The storm had 60 mph maximum sustained winds.
The tropical storm watch remains in effect for most of southern Florida, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
Weather officials also issued a high surf advisory, which remains in effect until 7 p.m. Sunday. A flood watch for the Treasure Coast was expected to start at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Weather disturbances are classified as tropical storms when they reach maximum sustained wind speeds greater than 39 mph, officials said. The storms would need to strengthen to 74 mph maximum sustained winds to become a hurricane, weather officials said.
Tropical storm watches are issued within 48 hours before tropical storm-force winds are possible in the designated areas. Kelly said the watches currently in place will likely be upgraded to tropical storm warnings.
Tropical storm warnings are issued within 36 hours before tropical storm-force winds are expected, Kelly said. Kelly said the effects from Eta will be felt far from the center of the storm’s circulation.
A 60 to 80 percent chance of showers was expected from Saturday through Monday for Indian River County, weather officials said. Wind gusts on Monday night could reach 50 mph.
The strong winds and rough surf will cause dangerous swimming and boating conditions, forecasters said.
“It’s obviously not a good beach day with the fast-moving showers,” Kelly said. “If people still go to the beach, we advise them to not get into the surf.”
Eta landed on the coast of Nicaragua Tuesday as a Category 4 hurricane. The hurricane brought more than 2 feet of rain to parts of Nicaragua and Honduras before being downgraded to a tropical storm, officials said.
Forecasters said they did not expect Eta to regain hurricane strength as it continues to approach southern Florida.
The beaches in Vero Beach Saturday all had red flags up, which mean “high caution,” said Erik Toomsoo, president of the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association. Double-red flags, which mean “no swimming,” have not yet been put out, Toomsoo said.
Toomsoo said the beaches in Vero were not crowded Saturday. An update on the status of county beaches was not immediately available.
Residents should monitor their local emergency services departments and the weather service for updates.
