Zeta was strengthening while making its approach to southeast Louisiana, and the National Hurricane Center said it could make landfall as a category two storm, with hurricane force winds possible over parts of the New Orleans metro area.
From the National Hurricane Center:
WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected within the Hurricane Warning area on the northern Gulf Coast this afternoon, with tropical storm conditions beginning later this morning. Tropical storm conditions are expected within the Tropical Storm Warning area on the northern Gulf Coast by late today, and tropical storm conditions are possible within the Tropical Storm Watch area this afternoon.
Damaging winds, especially in gusts, will spread well inland across portions of southeast Mississippi and southern Alabama this evening and tonight.
A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lower Jefferson, Lower Lafourche, Lower Plaquemines, Lower St. Bernard, Lower Terrebonne, Orleans, Southern Tangipahoa, St. Charles, St. John The Baptist, St. Tammany, and Upper St. Bernard.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Ascension, Assumption, Livingston, Pearl River, St. James, Upper Jefferson, Upper Lafourche, Upper Plaquemines, Upper Terrebonne, and Washington.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Northern Tangipahoa, Pike, St. Helena, and Walthall.
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
Mouth of the Atchafalaya River to Navarre Florida
Lake Borgne, Lake Pontchartrain, Pensacola Bay and Mobile Bay
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
Morgan City Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama border
Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Metropolitan New Orleans
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
Mississippi/Alabama border to Walton/Bay County Line Florida
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
West of Morgan City to Intracoastal City Louisiana
RAINFALL: Locally heavy rains in advance of Zeta will continue to expand and move north from the central Gulf Coast today, eventually affecting the Ohio Valley to the central Appalachians tonight and Thursday. Meanwhile, the core of heavy rains near Zeta will track from the central Gulf Coast to the Mid-Atlantic this afternoon through Thursday evening. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated amounts of 6 inches are expected across these areas, resulting in flash, urban, small stream, and minor river flooding.