Zeta's Remnant Brings Heavy Rain To East Coast | WeatherBug
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Zeta's Remnant Brings Heavy Rain To East Coast

October 29, 2020
UPDATED By WeatherBug Meteorologists
What was once Hurricane Zeta has now lost its tropical characteristics as it chugs across the Mid-Atlantic and off the Eastern Seaboard. 

Zeta made landfall Wednesday evening as a strong Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 110 mph near Cocodrie, La. It has now moved across the South, Southeast and into the mid-Atlantic, losing its tropical characteristics along the way. As of 5 p.m. EDT, Post-Tropical Cyclone Zeta was located near 28.8 N and 75.3 W, or about 25 miles west-southwest of Cape May, N.J. It has sustained winds of 50 mph and a minimum central pressure of 992 mb, or 29.30 inches of mercury. It is racing east-northeast at 55 mph.

The storm is merging with a strong upper-level trough pushing from the Plains into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The result of this has been heavy rain spreading from the storm east across the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast. Rainfall totals have generally been in the 1 to 2 inch range, with locally higher amounts. Rain will slowly wind down this evening as the storm pushes offshore. The next arm of the complex storm system will come on Friday, when a new low pressure system forms ahead of the disturbance and moves into the Northeast. Instead of tropical weather, parts of New England may have to deal with winter weather instead.

Along with the heavy rain, a stripe of gusty winds will push well inland south and east of Zeta’s circulation. Wind gusts of 40-60 mph are expected through the Carolinas, Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula. The combination of heavy rain and strong winds in some areas will likely lead to downed trees and power outages.Nearly a million power outages were reported in Georgia earlier today after the wind and rain swept through overnight. Other areas with major power outages include southern Louisiana, Mississipp, Alabama, northern South Caolina and western North Carolinas, 

Flooding is a leading cause of weather-related fatalities with more than half of flood-related casualties occurring in automobiles when attempting to cross high water. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can sweep a grown adult away while twelve inches can overtake small cars. It is never safe to drive or walk through floodwaters, always remember to turn around don't drown.