Eta weakens to a tropical storm as it nears Florida's Gulf coast.

Reconnaissance aircraft indicates that Eta has weakened back to a tropical storm with top sustained winds of 70 mph. Heavy rains and gusty winds are occurring across west-central Florida.

Eta is forecast to make landfall tomorrow morning up the coast from Tampa Bay and then move across the peninsula. Will it weaken still further or power back up to a hurricane before coming ashore?

Residents should watch out for heavy rains, strong winds and dangerous storm surge.

Pinellas County Emergency Management Director Kathy Perkins says if there's a bright side to all this, the storm will be out quickly.

"We expect this storm because it is fast moving and relatively small in size to exit our area early in the morning." Perkins said. "That bodes well because you never want a storm to sit on top of you for long periods of time."

Eta is traveling to the NNE at 10 mph.


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