Hurricane Eta originated from a tropical depression that formed in the central Caribbean Sea on October 31st. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Eta later that day and continued rapid intensification to major hurricane status on November 2nd while moving westward across the western Caribbean, reaching peak intensity of 150 mph and 923 mb on November 3rd, before making landfall near Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. Eta meandered across Nicaragua and Honduras while weakening to a tropical depression through November 5th before emerging over the northwest Caribbean Sea while gradually turning northeast. Eta regained tropical storm status on November 6th and made landfall in Cuba on the 7th, emerged in the Florida Straits and turned westward on the 8th before making landfall in the Florida Keys later that day. The storm made a southwest jog into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on the 9th before it briefly stalled then turned northward on the 10th. Eta accelerated north-northeast across the eastern Gulf toward the western Florida coast and briefly strengthened to a minimal hurricane during the early morning hours on the 11th, reaching a second peak of 75 mph and 983 mb while centered about 170 miles south-southwest of Tampa. Eta then weakened to a tropical storm as it approached the peninsula and made landfall on November 12th near Cedar Key around 4 AM EST with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and a minimum central pressure of 996 mb.
The highest measured wind gust in west central Florida was 60 mph at Punta Gorda (KPGD) in Charlotte County. Greatest water level rises occurred at Old Port Tampa in Hillsborough County, where a peak of 3.87 ft MHHW was observed. Area rainfall amounts were generally in the 5- to 10-inch range, with a maximum storm total rainfall amount of 10.39 inches recorded near Sun City Center in Hillsborough County.
Levy County- In Levy County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 50 mph at a mesonet site on Cedar Key. Rainfall was below 5 inches across the area with no significant damage being reported. The maximum storm surge was 2.10 ft MHHW in Cedar Key.
Citrus County- In Citrus County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 53 mph at a mesonet site in Crystal River. Rainfall was below 5 inches across the area with the highest total being 3.64 inches in Inverness. No significant damage was reported.
Hernando County- In Hernando County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 48 mph at a mesonet site in Weeki Wachee. Rainfall was below 5 inches across the area with the highest total being 3.18 inches at the Brooksville-Tampa Regional Airport. No significant damage was reported.
Pasco County- In Pasco County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 44 mph at the AWOS located at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. Rainfall was generally around 5 inches across the area with the highest total being 5.05 inches in Holiday. No significant damage was reported.
Pinellas County-In Pinellas County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 60 mph at the weather flow site on Clearwater Beach. Rainfall was generally above 5 inches with the highest rain total being 9.11 inches at a site in St. Petersburg. The wind resulted in many homes being damaged, as well as knocking over trees and power lines. There was also significant beach erosion along southwest facing beaches from Redington Shore to Pass-a-Grill. Pinellas County Emergency Management reported 88 homes with major damage, 621 homes with minor damage, and 1,496 other homes being affected. The total property damage by Eta in Pinellas County was estimated at $40.1 million. The maximum storm surge was 3.47 ft MHHW at St. Pete Beach.
Hillsborough County- In Hillsborough County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 59 mph at the weather flow site at the Tampa Bay Cut. Rainfall was generally above 5 inches, with the highest rain total being 10.39 inches at a site in Sun City Center. The wind resulted in some homes being damaged, as well as knocking over trees and power lines. Hillsborough County Emergency Management reported 8 homes with major damage, 15 homes with minor damage, and 10 other homes being affected. The total property damage by Eta in Hillsborough county was estimated at $485,00. The maximum storm surge was 3.87 ft MHHW at Old Port Tampa.
Manatee County-In Manatee County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 54 mph at the ASOS site at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Rainfall was generally above 5 inches, with the highest rain total being 8.10 inches at a site in South Bradenton. The wind and salt water flooding resulted in some homes being damaged, as well as knocking over trees and power lines. There was also significant beach erosion along barrier island from Anna Maria Island to Long Key. Manatee County Emergency Management reported 6 homes with major damage, 27 homes with minor damage, and 99 other homes being affected. An EF-0 tornado was also found to have briefly touched down near Myakka causing porch damage to one home. The total property damage by Eta in Manatee County was estimated at $10.3 million. The maximum storm surge was 3.03 ft MHHW at Port Manatee. There was one indirect fatality reported in Bradenton Beach when a man was electrocuted when he touched an appliance while standing in water that had entered his house.
Sarasota County-In Sarasota County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 57 mph at the AWOS site at Venice Municipal Airport. Rainfall was generally around 5 inches, with the highest rain total being 6.23 inches at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The wind caused some damage to homes, as well as knocking over trees and power lines. Also, storm surge caused the first floor of multiple hotels on Lido Key to be evacuated and caused damage to parking lots and jetties in the area. The National Weather Service estimates about $500,000 in damages in the county.
Charlotte County- In Charlotte County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 60 mph at the ASOS at Punta Gorda Airport. Rainfall was generally below 5 inches, with the highest rain total being 4.58 inches at a site in Rotonda. The wind caused some damage to homes, as well as knocking down a few trees and power lines. Also, storm surge caused beach erosion and flooded streets and parking lots near Punta Gorda, Manasota Key, and Englewood Beach areas. The National Weather Service estimates about $100,000 in damages in the county.
Lee County- In Lee County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 52 mph at the ASOS at Southwest Florida International Airport. Rainfall was generally below 5 inches, with the highest rain total being 4.77 at the Southwest Florida International Airport. The wind caused some damage to homes, as well as knocking down a few trees and power lines. Also, salt water flooding was observed on south exposed beaches and nearby homes. The National Weather Service estimates about $100,000 in damages in the county. The maximum storm surge was 2.74 ft MHHW in Fort Myers.
Sumter County- In Sumter County no tropical storm wind speeds were recorded. Rainfall was generally around 5 inches across the area with the highest total being 5.51 inches in Wildwood. No damage being reports.
Polk County- In Polk County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 44 mph at the ASOS located at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. Rainfall was generally below 5 inches across the area with the highest total being 4.31 inches in Lakeland. No damage being reports.
Hardee County- In Hardee County there was no tropical storm force winds recorded. Rainfall was generally below 5 inches and no significant damage was reported.
Desoto County- In Desoto County there was no tropical storm force winds recorded. Rainfall was generally below 5 inches and no significant damage was reported.
Highlands County- In Highlands County the highest wind reported from Hurricane Eta was a gust of 39 mph at the AWOS located at the Sebring Regional Airport. Rainfall was generally below 5 inches across the area. No damage being reports.