Tropical storm Zeta is beginning to strengthen. The 10 o’clock advisory from the National Hurricane Center indicates maximum sustained winds of 70 miles per hour, just a few miles below hurricane one status at 74 miles per hour. Zeta is 435 miles south of New Orleans moving northwest at 15 miles per hour and a turn to the north is expected overnight. Zeta is forecast to make landfall Wednesday evening. A hurricane warning is in effect from Morgan City to the Mississippi/Alabama border.
Residents impacted by Hurricane Laura now have another month to register for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA Spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says homeowners and renters can apply for aid which includes temporary housing, rental assistance and to repair or replace damage to property.
Southeast Louisiana coastal parishes are prepping for Category One Hurricane conditions as Zeta is expected to make landfall Wednesday night. Lieutenant Brennan Matherne with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says that Lafourche parish is expecting significant winds to be the biggest impact from this storm.
Due to the expected high winds, Lt. Matherne advises residents to tie down any loose furniture around their home before Wednesday evening.
Zeta is expected to bring two to four inches of rain and a storm surge along Louisiana’s southeastern coastline of two to six feet.