Hurricane Zeta made landfall near Cocodrie, Louisiana, on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 2 storm, lashing the coast with 110 mph winds, according to officials. Forecasters said the hurricane was hitting the Gulf Coast with a life-threatening storm surge and strong winds. Power was knocked out for tens of thousands of homes and businesses across Louisiana as it quickly approached southeastern Mississippi.
Zeta — the fifth named storm to slam the region this year — battered southeastern Louisiana, downing power lines and trees. The storm was moving at a rapid clip, the National Hurricane Center said. Zeta’s center was forecast to move from southeastern Louisiana into southeastern Mississippi, then across the southeastern and eastern U.S.
Forecasters warned residents to stay indoors: “Don’t venture outside when the calm eye of the hurricane passes over, as dangerous winds will return very quickly when the eye moves away.” The hurricane center added: “Stronger winds, especially in gusts, are likely on high rise buildings.”
