HOUSTON — Hurricane Zeta made landfall just after 4 p.m. in Cocodrie, Louisiana, in Terrebonne Parish. The Category 2 storm roared ashore with 110 mph about 87 miles southwest of New Orleans.
It didn't take long before Zeta was racing through Louisiana and Mississippi and heading toward Alabama. According to the National Hurricane Center's 10 p.m. update, the storm's winds were about 80 mph with higher gusts.
At 10 p.m. Wednesday, Zeta was moving northeast at 31 mph and was located about 45 miles northeast of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Watches and warnings
The Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings have been discontinued for all of Louisiana, including Lake Borgne and Lake Pontchartrain.
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the Mouth of the Pearl River to Navarre, Florida as well as in Pensacola Bay and Mobile Bay.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Mouth of the Pearl River to the Mississippi/Alabama border.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from the Mississippi/Alabama border to the Walton/Bay County Line in Florida.
Videos from Zeta's landfall
KEY MESSAGES FROM NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER (10 P.M. WEDNESDAY)
1. A dangerous storm surge is continuing along portions of the Mississippi and Alabama coastline and will gradually subside in the early morning hours on Thursday.
2. Dangerous hurricane conditions are expected to continue for the next few hours near and along the Mississippi and Alabama coastlines. Tropical storm conditions will also continue for portions of the Tropical Storm Warning area along the Alabama and far western Florida Panhandle coasts.
3. Strong, damaging wind gusts, which could cause tree damage and power outages, will spread well inland across portions of southeastern Mississippi, Alabama, northern Georgia, the Carolinas, and southeastern Virginia overnight and Thursday due to Zeta's fast forward speed. Wind gusts could be especially severe across the southern Appalachian Mountains on Thursday.
4. Through Thursday, heavy rainfall is expected from portions of the central U.S. Gulf Coast into the Mid-Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, southern to central Appalachians, and Mid-Atlantic States near and in advance of Zeta. Thie rainfall will lead to flash, urban, small stream, and minor river flooding.
BE PREPARED
Here are some tips from the Louisiana Citizens insurance group to help you be prepared now, during and after the storm, should you need to make a claim.
BEFORE THE STORM
- Make a home inventory
- Have a current copy of your declarations page that has your policy number and your agent's number
- Review your policy with your insurance agent to determine if you have adequate coverage
- Repair loose boards, shingles, shutters and downspouts to prevent them from becoming an issue in high winds or torrential rain
- Have an evacuation plan, and include plans for your pets
- Make sure your emergency equipment is in working order, including a battery-powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries. Also, make sure to gather all medicine, replenish your first-aid kit and stock a week's worth of non-perishable food and water
- Charge your cell phone and fill your car with gas
- Program all emergency phone numbers
DURING THE STORM
- If you are advised to evacuate, leave as soon as possible. Retain all related receipts - they may be considered in your claim. If you aren't in a recommended evacuation and you plant to stay home, stay informed by listening to weather alerts
- Keep windows and doors closed at all time, and, if possible, board them up with wooden or metal shutters
- Stay away from the windows and in the center of the room, or, stay in an interior room
- Avoid flood water, as it may be electrically charged from downed power lines
- Check on family members and friends
AFTER THE STORM
- Check to be sure your family members are safe
- If you did evacuate, wait for official notice that it is safe to re-enter your neighborhood and your house
- Document damaged property, and take photos and videos. Don't dispose of any damaged items without approval
- Keep a record of any temporary repairs or expenses to prevent further damage to your property
