Hurricane Zeta made landfall in southeast Louisiana during the late afternoon hours of Wednesday, October 28th as a strong category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. Zeta quickly raced northeast and moved across inland southeast Mississippi and inland southwest Alabama during the evening hours. Shortly after midnight, Thursday, October 29th, Zeta weakened to a tropical storm while moving across central Alabama. Since Zeta was moving at a rapid 25-30 mph across the area, it brought frequent hurricane force wind gusts and extensive wind damage to inland southeast Mississippi and inland southwest Alabama. Hurricane force gusts extended as far east as coastal Alabama, which contributed to a significant storm surge that impacted portions of Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Sustained minimal tropical storm force winds extended as far east as portions of the western Florida Panhandle.
Widespread tree and power line damage was reported across inland southeast Mississippi into inland southwest Alabama as these areas experienced sustained moderate to strong tropical storm force winds and frequent hurricane force wind gusts. Despite a lack of observations, peak gusts of 80 to 100 mph very likely occurred. In fact, the Mobile Regional Airport measured the highest wind gust in the local area of 91 mph. A station in Grove Hill measured a peak gust of 80 mph. Several counties in this area experienced near or 100% power outages. Many homes also suffered minor roof damage, with numerous homes suffering moderate to major damage, many of which were the result of trees falling onto homes.
The highest storm surge occurred in Mobile Bay, along the immediate shores of Baldwin County, as well as southern Mobile County along the Mississippi Sound, as well as Dauphin Island. Peak storm surge inundation was surveyed to be 7 to 9 feet across parts of Bayou La Batre and Coden, as well as the Baldwin County side of Mobile Bay from the Mobile Bay Causeway to south of Point Clear. A few isolated areas approached 10 feet. These higher water levels are a combination of storm surge and wave action.
Flooding reports were isolated as the fast movement of the storm precluded excessive rainfall amounts. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches were reported along and just to the right of the center across inland southeast Mississippi into inland southwest Alabama.
At the time of publication, there was not enough data available to calculate an estimate to storm total monetary damages.
Here is a breakdown of the county impacts:
Stone County MS: The county experienced sustained tropical storm force winds with gusts of 80-100 mph, which resulted in significant tree and power line damage. Numerous to widespread power outages were reported. 170 homes were damaged, experiencing either roof damage or damage due to downed trees with 15 of the homes experiencing major damage. The most extensive damage was in the eastern portion of Stone County, which was impacted by the eastern eyewall.
George County MS: The county experienced sustained tropical storm force winds with frequent gusts of 80-100 MPH, resulting in widespread tree and power line damage throughout the county. Nearly 100% of the county was without power. Numerous homes suffered damage, mainly to roofs. Approximately 100 homes had major damage with 30 completely destroyed, due primarily to downed trees. There was one minor injury as an individual was in a car accident while trying to drive to work during the storm. A little over 8 million dollars in residential damage was estimated along with over 6.5 million in damages to the power infrastructure.
Perry County MS: The county experienced sustained strong tropical storm force winds with frequent gusts to hurricane force. This resulted in significant tree and power line damage. Numerous to widespread power outages were reported. 36 homes were damaged, experiencing either roof damage or damage due to downed trees.
Green County MS: The county experienced sustained tropical storm force winds with frequent gusts of 80-100 MPH which resulted in widespread tree and power line damage throughout the county. Power outages were near or at 100%. Numerous homes suffered damage, mainly to roofs. Approximately 30 homes had major damage with 7 destroyed, due primarily to downed trees.
Wayne County MS: The county experienced sustained tropical storm force winds resulting in significant tree and power line damage. Numerous power outages were reported. 13 homes were damaged, experiencing either roof damage or damage due to downed trees.
Mobile County AL: The county experienced sustained tropical storm force winds with gusts to hurricane force. Mobile Regional Airport had a peak gust of 91 MPH. It is likely that the northern portion of Mobile County experienced frequent gusts of 80-100 MPH close to where the core of Zeta moved through. These winds resulted in widespread downed trees and power outages to the central and northern part of the county, including the city of Citronelle. Numerous homes suffered roof damage and some were damaged due to downed trees. The extent of downed trees and power outages became more scattered further south. A significant storm surge occurred on the west end of Dauphin Island, Bayou La Batre, and Coden where a survey team measured peak inundation of 7 to 9 feet along the immediate coast. A few isolated areas approached 10 feet in Bayou La Batre and Coden. These higher water levels are a combination of storm surge and wave action. A storm surge with peak inundation of 4 to 6 feet was measured in the northwest portion of Mobile Bay, which impacted areas close to the coast along the bay. The Highway 90 causeway was completely flooded and water was reported on a part of Water Street in Downtown Mobile.
Baldwin County AL: Tropical Storm force winds impacted much of Baldwin County with frequent gusts of 60 to 70 mph. These winds resulted in scattered down trees and power outages. Some homes also experienced minor roof damage. A significant storm surge impacted the eastern shore of Baldwin County. A survey team measured peak inundation of 7 to 9 feet in northeast Mobile Bay along the Highway 90 causeway and south along the Eastern Shore from Daphne to Point Clear. These higher water levels are a combination of storm surge and wave action. Several piers were destroyed on the Eastern Shore and the seawall at the Fairhope Pier was damaged. A few boats docked at the small marina at the Fairhope Pier were sunk. Damage also occurred to a few of the parks along the immediate shoreline. Significant surge also extended south to Point Clear where surge went across County Road 1.
Washington County AL: Sustained tropical storm force winds with frequent gusts of 80 to 100 mph resulted in widespread tree and power line damage throughout the county. Power outages were near or at 100%. Numerous homes suffered damage, mainly to roofs or fallen trees.
Choctaw County AL: Tropical Storm force winds resulted in scattered down trees and power outages. One mobile home in Butler suffered major damage due to a tree that fell on it. 3 mobile homes further south had minor damage. Approximately 3500 customers lost power.
Clarke County AL: Sustained strong tropical storm force winds with frequent gusts of 80-90 mph resulted in widespread tree and power line damage throughout the county. Power outages were near or at 100%. Over 250 power poles and 150 transformers had to be replaced. Numerous homes suffered damage, mainly to roofs. Over a thousand homes were damaged, with approximately 25 suffering major damage or destroyed, due primarily to downed trees.
Wilcox County AL: Sustained tropical storm force winds with frequent gusts of 80 to 90 mph resulted in widespread tree and powerline damage throughout the county. Power outages were near or at 100%. Numerous homes suffered damage, mainly to roofs. At least 100 homes had moderate to major damage, due primarily to downed trees.
Monroe County AL: Strong tropical storm force winds with gusts to hurricane force resulted in numerous to widespread downed trees and powerlines. Significant power outages were reported. Damage to numerous structures, including buildings in downtown Monroeville.
Conecuh County AL: Strong tropical storm force winds resulted in numerous to widespread downed trees and powerlines. A significant number of power outages were reported.
Butler County AL: Tropical storm force winds downed trees and powerlines. Numerous power outages were reported. Some homes were damaged due to downed trees.
Crenshaw County AL: Tropical storm force winds downed trees and powerlines. Numerous power outages were reported. Some structures were damaged due to downed trees.
Covington County AL: Tropical storm force wind gusts downed some trees in the county.
Escambia County AL: Tropical storm force winds downed trees and powerlines. Some power outages were reported.
Escambia County FL: Tropical storm force winds, primarily in frequent gusts, resulted in the downing of some trees and scattered to numerous power outages.
Santa Rosa County FL: Tropical storm force wind gusts resulted in the downing of some trees and scattered power outages. No structural damage was reported.
Okaloosa County FL: Tropical storm force wind gusts occurred. However, no significant damage was reported.

Storm Surge/Tide in MOBILE CENTRAL, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 18:00:00 to 29-OCT-20 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Storm Surge/Tide in MOBILE COASTAL, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 18:00:00 to 29-OCT-20 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Storm Surge/Tide in BALDWIN INLAND, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 18:00:00 to 29-OCT-20 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Storm Surge/Tide in BALDWIN COASTAL, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 18:00:00 to 29-OCT-20 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Storm Surge/Tide in BALDWIN CENTRAL, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 18:00:00 to 29-OCT-20 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in MOBILE INLAND, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 19:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in CONECUH, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 21:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in BUTLER, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 22:00:00 to 29-OCT-20 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in CRENSHAW, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 22:00:00 to 29-OCT-20 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in ESCAMBIA, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 19:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in WASHINGTON, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 19:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in CHOCTAW, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 19:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in CLARKE, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 19:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in WILCOX, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 20:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Tropical Storm in MONROE, ALABAMA
From 28-OCT-20 21:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations