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 coastal Mississippi with measured sustained winds up to 81 mph and gusts up to 104 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 2 fatalities and 75 injuries. Hurricane Zeta caused approximately $90 million 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 HANCOCK, MISSISSIPPI
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 40.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced hurricane force winds with wind gusts nearing or exceeding 100 mph, especially near the coast. Away from the coast, most places experienced sustained tropical storm force winds with at least a few hurricane force wind gusts. Zeta's winds resulted in widespread damage across the county including snapped
trees, downed power lines and power poles. At the peak, about 77 percent of the county was without power. Hundreds of homes and dozens of businesses were also damaged, some from falling trees. One home collapsed when its 18ft pilings gave way in the wind. However, inspection of the structure suggests the pilings were not
properly reinforced. The county ordered mandatory evacuations of low lying areas near the coast and opened several shelters.

Tropical Storm in PEARL RIVER, MISSISSIPPI
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 which downed scattered trees and power lines throughout the county. At the peak, over 10,000 customers representing 35 percent of the county, were without power.

Tropical Storm in PIKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Zeta produced tropical storm force wind gusts led to isolated power outages across the county. Otherwise, no significant impacts reported.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in HARRISON, MISSISSIPPI
From 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 to 28-OCT-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 40.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hurricane Zeta produced hurricane force winds with wind gusts nearing or exceeding 100 mph, especially along the coast. Away from the coast, most places experienced sustained tropical storm force winds with at least a few hurricane force wind gusts. The winds caused widespread damage across the county. Thousands of homes suffered at least minor damage throughout the county with the worst damage near the coast. In that area, numerous homes suffered moderate to major damage, some from falling trees. One direct fatality was the result of a man drowning in storm surge near the Broadwater Marina. One indirect fatality was the result of a motorcyclist hitting a low hanging power line and being thrown from his motorcycle.

Tropical Storm in WALTHALL, MISSISSIPPI
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 a few downed trees and power lines. At the peak, about 1500 customers were without power across the county.

Tornado in HARRISON, MISSISSIPPI
From 28-OCT-20 00:05:00 to 28-OCT-20 00:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: AIREY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A sporadic damage path of minor tree damage associated with an EF-0 tornado that occurred near MS Hwy 15 in northeast Harrison County on October 28, 2020 was identified using high resolution satellite imagery. This was corroborated by collocation with a well-defined tornado vortex signature on both KLIX and KMOB radars as well as a trained weather spotter report of small limbs and tree debris as well as power flashes as this tornado crossed the highway.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
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 sustained tropical storm force winds across much of the county, with a few unofficial reports of hurricane force wind gusts. Widespread damage to trees and power lines occurred, with several areas becoming inaccessible due to debris. At least minor damage was reported to over 1000 homes, with several suffering moderate to major damage, mainly as a result of falling trees.

Storm Surge/Tide in HARRISON, MISSISSIPPI
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

Storm surge flooded portions of US HWY 90/Beach Boulevard and other low lying areas near the coast. While there are no official gauges on the immediate coast in Harrison county, high water marks suggest peak water levels of at least 10 ft NAVD88, though inundation depths vary by location. The storm surge also resulted in one drowning death in Biloxi.

Storm Surge/Tide in HANCOCK, MISSISSIPPI
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

The county ordered mandatory evacuations of low lying areas near the coast and opened several shelters. Storm surge flooding resulted in hundreds of roads becoming impassible around Bay St. Louis. The Waveland (WYCM6) tide gauge measured a peak water level of 8.16ft MHHW. The Claiborne (EPCM6) tide gauge measured a peak water level of 9.22 ft NAVD88.

Storm Surge/Tide in JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
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 affected coastal portions of the county. Leading up to the storm, the county issued voluntary evacuation orders for low lying areas near the coast and other waterways, and opened one shelter. The Pascagoula (PNLM6) tide gauge measured a peak water level of 7.08ft MHHW. The Ocean Springs (OFBM6) tide gauge measured a peak water level of 10.88 ft NAVD88 which is estimated to be between 9 and 10 ft of inundation at that location.