A tropical depression formed in the northwestern Caribbean on the afternoon of October 24th. 9 hours later, it became the twenty-seventh named storm and eleventh hurricane of the exceptionally active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. After meandering virtually in the same place, it finally began moving northwest and slowly strengthening before making its first landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula on October 26th. Zeta exited the Yucantan Peninsula weaker but still a strong tropical storm. The path of the storm began shifting from northwest to northeast, and heading straight towards Louisiana. In terms of intensity, Zeta slowly but steadily strengthened from this point all the way up until landfall. It reached the highest wind speed possible of a Category 2 storm, 110 mph. Zeta produced extensive wind damage across southeast Louisiana with measured sustained winds up to 87 mph and gusts up to 110 mph. Thousands of power poles were downed and thousands of homes experienced minor damage. Storm surge ranged from a few feet to several feet. There were a total of 1 fatality and 1 injury. Hurricane Zeta caused approximately $1 billion worth of damage.
Zeta was the record-tying sixth hurricane to make landfall in the United States and the record fifth named storm to strike Louisiana in 2020.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in UPPER PLAQUEMINES, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced widespread wind damage throughout the parish with trees, power lines and power poles snapping in the wind. Hundreds of structures suffered minor wind damage and some experiencing major
damage across the northern portion of the parish. At least one mobile home was completely destroyed, along with one large metal building. At the peak the parish experienced a near 100 percent power outage. The Belle chasse ASOS recorded a peak wind gust of 87 mph. Ahead of the storm, the parish issued voluntary evacuation orders for the entire East Bank of the parish as well as portions of the West Bank. 48 people sheltered in a parish shelter, and an unknown number evacuated to other areas.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in UPPER ST. BERNARD, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced widespread wind damage throughout the parish with trees, power lines and power poles snapping in the wind. Several trees fell on homes and cars. A Weatherflow station near the border of St. Bernard and Orleans parishes on Bayou Bienvenue recorded a maximum sustained wind of 87 mph with peak gust of 112 mph.  It should be noted that at 27.4m, the station is elevated higher than the standard observation height of 10m. At the peak, over 90 percent of the parish was without power. Several homes suffered significant roof damage with some losing portions of the roofing structure. Numerous trucks, trailers and boats were flipped along LA HWY 46 where they were parked to avoid storm surge flooding.

Storm Surge/Tide in ST. TAMMANY, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Storm surge led to minor flooding in the lowest lying areas of the parish near Lake Pontchartrain, with the USACE gauge near Mandeville (LMPL1) reporting a peak water level of 3.34 ft NAVD88.

Tropical Storm in SOUTHERN TANGIPAHOA, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced tropical storm force wind gusts which led to minor impacts across the
parish with around 3000 customers without power at the peak.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LOWER LAFOURCHE, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced widespread damage throughout the parish as a result of strong winds. An unofficial weather station at Golden Meadow recorded maximum sustained winds of 87 mph with a peak wind gust of 110 mph. The winds downed trees and power lines throughout the parish and also resulted in structural damage. According to local officials, 23 homes were destroyed, 59 suffered major damage and 118 sustained minor damage. At least one large metal commercial building collapsed.

Storm Surge/Tide in LOWER LAFOURCHE, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Ahead of the storm, parish officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for areas south of the flood gates and
other low lying areas as well as a voluntary evacuation for all areas south of LA HWY 90. Zeta's storm surge flooded LA HWY 1, cutting off access to Port Fourchon. The storm surge also flooded several homes and businesses in Leeville and Golden meadow. The NOS gauge at Port Fourchon (PTFL1) reached its maximum recording capability at 3.03 ft, and peak inundation was likely higher. The Hackberry Bay (HALC1) tide gauge measured a peak of 4.80 ft NAVD88.

Storm Surge/Tide in LOWER ST. BERNARD, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Storm surge flooding impacts were limited to areas outside of the hurricane and storm damage risk reduction system levees. The Shell Beach (SHBL1) tide gauge measured a peak water level of 3.36 ft MHHW. The Bayou Dupree (BDML1) tide gauge measured a peak water level of 4.35 ft NAVD88.
The Grand Pass (GRPL1) tide gauge measured a peak water level of 2.39 ft NAVD88.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced widespread damage due to high winds. A Weatherflow station near the border of St. Bernard and Orleans parishes on
Bayou Bienvenue recorded a maximum sustained wind of 87 mph with peak gust of 112 mph, though it should be noted that at 27.4m. The station is elevated higher than the standard observation height of 10m. Trees, power lines and power poles were snapped throughout the parish with the parish responding to around 550 tree emergencies. 40 city facilities suffered minor structural damage in addition to 400 residential and commercial buildings. 10 buildings sustained major damage. 1 indirect fatality occurred due to electrocution and one injury due to falling debris from a roof collapse.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LOWER PLAQUEMINES, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced widespread wind damage throughout the parish with trees, power lines and power poles snapping in the wind. Hundreds of structures suffered minor wind damage and some experiencing major damage across the northern portion of the parish. At least one mobile home was completely destroyed, along with one large metal building. At the peak the parish experienced a near 100 percent power outage. The Belle chasse ASOS recorded a peak wind gust of 87 mph. Ahead of the storm, the parish issued voluntary evacuation orders for the entire East Bank of the parish as well as portions of the West Bank. 48 people sheltered in a parish shelter, and an unknown number evacuated to other areas.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in UPPER TERREBONNE, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta hurricane force winds downed hundreds of power poles along with trees an power lines. At the peak, almost two thirds of the parish was without power. A large carport was collapsed and torn from a house and there was also siding and roof damage to hundreds of homes.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in UPPER JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced widespread wind damage throughout the parish as a result of strong winds. While no official stations in the parish reported sustained hurricane force winds, several home weather stations on the west bank of the parish failed when power was lost before the strongest winds arrived. Downed trees, power lines and power poles were common throughout the parish with 72 percent of the parish losing power at the peak. Structural damage was mostly minor, but several homes did suffer moderate to major damage, including a few homes with their roofs removed or damaged and one report of a mobile home completely destroyed. additional damage was caused by falling trees.

Storm Surge/Tide in LOWER JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Jefferson Parish ordered a mandatory evacuation for coastal communities including Grand Isle, Jean Lafitte, Crown Point and Barataria. The storm surge breached the local levee on the gulf side of Grand Isle. High water marks collected by the NWS suggest peak water levels of 2 to 3 ft inundation across much of the island. This is consistent with the peak water level recorded by the NOS tide gauge on Grand Isle at 2.98 ft MHHW. The Barataria Bay (NGIL1) tide gauge measured a peak of 7.81 NAVD88. The Barataria Bay (EGIL1) tide gauge measured a peak of 3.74 NAVD88. The Caminada (CPGL1) tide gauge measured a peak of 3.58 NAVD88.

Storm Surge/Tide in ST. CHARLES, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The NOS gauge at the Bonnet Carre spillway reported a peak water level of 4.72
ft MHHW.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LOWER ST. BERNARD, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced widespread wind damage throughout the parish with trees, power lines and power poles snapping in the wind. Several trees fell on homes and cars. A Weatherflow station near the border of St. Bernard and Orleans parishes on Bayou Bienvenue recorded a maximum sustained wind of 87 mph with peak gust of 112 mph.  It should be noted that at 27.4m, the station is elevated higher than the standard observation height of 10m. At the peak, over 90 percent of the parish was without power. Several homes suffered significant roof damage with some losing portions of the roofing structure. Numerous trucks, trailers and boats were flipped along LA HWY 46 where they were parked to avoid storm surge flooding.

Tropical Storm in ST. JAMES, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced tropical storm force winds which downed trees, power lines, and power
poles across the parish. Roughly 1000 customers were without power at the peak.

Tropical Storm in WASHINGTON, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced tropical storm force winds which resulted in minor impacts across the parish in the form of a few downed trees and power outages. At the peak, around 800 customers were without power.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LOWER TERREBONNE, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced sustained hurricane force winds with gusts over 100 mph that led to widespread wind damage especially through Chauvin and Cocodrie near where the hurricane made landfall. The wind snapped or downed
hundreds of power poles along with trees an power lines. At the peak, almost two thirds of the parish was without power. A large carport was collapsed and torn from a house and there was also siding and roof damage to hundreds of homes. At least one home was flipped, though it appears the home was not anchored.

Storm Surge/Tide in LOWER PLAQUEMINES, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Zeta produced storm surge that overtopped a local levee in the Myrtle Grove area, resulting in the inundation of pasture land. A USGS gauge near Point A La Hache reported a peak water level of 5.70 ft NAVD88. The West End (PSTL1) gauge measured a peak of 2.54 ft MHHW. The West End (PILL1) gauge measured a peak of 1.57 ft MHHW. The Amer Bay Palh (PLHL1) gauge measured a peak of 5.70 ft NAVD88. The Delecroix (CBDL1) gauge measured a peak of 5.47 ft NAVD88. The Empire (EWEL1) gauge measured a peak of 5.26 ft NAVD88. The Black Bay Pahl (PSIL1) gauge measured a peak of 4.68 ft NAVD88. The Caernarvon (COCL1) gauge measured a peak of 3.45 ft NAVD88. Higher water levels likely occurred on the west bank of the parish where there are no official gauges.

Tropical Storm in LIVINGSTON, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced tropical storm force wind gusts which resulted in isolated power outages across the parish.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LOWER JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced widespread wind damage throughout the parish as a result of strong winds. While no official stations in the parish reported sustained hurricane force winds, damage seen by NWS employees on a survey were consistent with category 2 hurricane wind speeds . Downed trees, power lines and power poles were common throughout the parish with 72 percent of the parish losing power at the peak. Structural damage was mostly minor, but several homes did suffer moderate to major damage, including a few homes with their roofs removed or damaged and one report of a mobile home completely destroyed. Additional damage was caused by falling trees.

Tropical Storm in ST. CHARLES, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced tropical storm force winds which downed trees and power lines across the parish with sporadic minor structural damage. At the peak, nearly 80 percent of the parish was without power. The parish opened one shelter as a result of the storm.

Storm Surge/Tide in ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Leading up to to the storm, the parish issued voluntary evacuation orders for areas outside the hurricane and storm damage risk reduction system levees. This included Irish Bayou, Lake Catherine, and Venetian Isles. The parish housed 12 people in a shelter for medical needs. Along Lake Pontchartrain, the NOS gauge at New Canal (NWCL1) peaked at 4.84 ft MHHW. A gauge near the Rigolets (RIGL1) recorded a peak water level of 5.32 ft NAVD88. The West End (WEGL1) gauge measured a peak of 6.30 ft NAVD88. The Lakefront (PLAL1) gauge measured a peak of 4.21 ft NAVD88. The Chef Pass (CMPL1) gauge measured a peak of 4.04 ft NAVD88.

Tropical Storm in ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced tropical storm force winds which downed trees, power lines, and power poles across the parish. At the peak, roughly one third of the parish was without power.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ST. TAMMANY, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 15.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced tropical storm force winds and likely some hurricane force wind gusts which led to widespread damage to trees, power lines and some power poles across the parish. At the peak, roughly 60 percent of the parish was without power.

Tropical Storm in ASCENSION, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced tropical storm force wind gusts across the parish. It downed a couple trees
and resulted in an hours long 911 service outage on the east side of the parish due to a damaged telecommunications fiber line.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in UPPER LAFOURCHE, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced widespread damage throughout the parish as a result of strong winds. The winds downed trees and power lines throughout the parish and also resulted in structural damage. According to local officials, 23 homes were destroyed, 59 suffered major damage and 118 sustained minor damage. At least one large metal commercial building collapsed. The damage in upper Lafourche was consistent with category 1 hurricane wind speeds.

Storm Surge/Tide in LOWER TERREBONNE, LOUISIANA
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Ahead of Hurricane Zeta, officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for areas outside of the parish's levees and floodgates. The storm surge flooded several coastal roads, including LA HWY 56 with water rising under homes as well. The bottom levels of the Lumcon building were also flooded due to storm surge. A usgs gauge at Cocodrie (CCOL1) recorded a peak water level of 5.22 ft NAVD88. The Cutoff (CTFL1) tide gauge measured a peak of 4.62 NAVD88. The Dulac (DCLL1) tide gauge measured a peak of 3.33 NAVD88.