As expected, Zeta is now a category 1 hurricane with 80mph max sustained winds and is currently moving northwest at 10mph.
According to Okaloosa County Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox, Okaloosa County is now under a tropical storm watch.
“This was done in an abundance of caution as Zeta is forecast to interact with an approaching winter feature which may assist in expanding the wind field to allow stronger gusts in-land,” said Maddox.
Zeta is still forecast to approach Southeast Louisiana as a strong tropical storm or minimal hurricane.
According to Maddox, tropical storm wind probabilities are up a bit with 40% for Crestview and 37% for Destin.
Strong tropical storm wind probabilities (58-73MPH) are at 8% for Crestview and 6% for Destin.
Hurricane wind probabilities: 1% for all.
The earliest possible arrival of tropical storm winds will be Wednesday afternoon in gusts, but more likely Wednesday evening and overnight. Maddox said that conditions should quickly improving after daybreak on Thursday.
We are expecting rainfall of 1-2 inches. Isolated tornadoes are possible Wednesday night.
