The National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Ocala and surrounding areas on Wednesday morning as Hurricane Eta bears down on the Sunshine State.
The warning, which was issued for Anthony, Burbank, Ocala and Weirsdale, comes as the storm prepares to make landfall on the west coast of Florida. Although heavy rains are not expected until Thursday morning, the storm will blanket much of the state with showers, winds, and overcast skies. Wind speeds could reach over 70 mph, according to the press release from the service.
The service is advising the community to prepare for “dangerous wind of equivalent or strong tropical storm force” and “localized flooding from heavy rain.” It recommends that “efforts to protect life and property should be completed as soon as possible.”
This hurricane season has seen a record 29 named storms, with Eta and Theta the latest of the Greek-letter series of storms. Hurricane season will officially end on November 30.
Check back with Ocala-News.com for more weather alerts and storm updates.