Topline
The Gulf Coast is bracing for yet another hurricane in a year that is now on the cusp of being the most active in history, as Zeta makes its way across the Gulf of Mexico and appears to be taking aim at Louisiana.
Palm trees are buffeted by the winds of Hurricane Zeta in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, early Tuesday, ... [+]
Key Facts
Zeta is a tropical storm with 65 mph maximum sustained winds, but it should strengthen into a hurricane in the coming hours.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the coastline of southeast Louisiana, including New Orleans and its metropolitan area, eastward to the Mississippi-Alabama border.
Zeta is forecast to make landfall in Louisiana some time Wednesday evening into Wednesday night as a Category 1 hurricane, before quickly moving northward, making it into the Mid-Atlantic on Thursday.
Wind should be the biggest threat from Zeta along the coastline because of how quickly it will move out of the area, but the National Hurricane Center says there is still a chance for “life-threatening” storm surge and possible flash flooding in the short time the storm will stick around.
Big Number
11. Zeta would be the 11th named storm to make landfall in the U.S. during 2020, and the fifth to strike Louisiana alone. This season already holds the record for U.S. hits, after Hurricane Delta became the 10th storm to hit the U.S. when it struck Louisiana earlier this month, breaking the record of nine that had stood since 1916.
What To Watch For
The high winds could end up causing substantial power outages in affected areas. Zeta is expected to hit with a similar strength, perhaps just slightly weaker, than Delta, which knocked out power to more than 30% of the state of Louisiana.
Crucial Quote
“Given Zeta's acceleration near landfall, strong winds are likely to spread well inland along the northern Gulf coast Wednesday night,” the National Hurricane Center said in its forecast discussion.
Key Background
Zeta is the latest letter in the Greek alphabet to ever reach hurricane status. This season is only the second in history to ever use Greek letters for hurricanes after the normal storm list ran out. The 2020 season has far outpaced any in recorded history, needing only two more named storms to form to officially be the most active in terms of named storms in the 169 years of record-keeping.
Further Reading
30% Of Louisiana Is Without Power After Hurricane Delta (Forbes)
