Tropical Storm Eta Floods Florida Homes, Businesses; 1 Person Electrocuted

Residents of Florida’s central Gulf Coast woke up Thursday to inundated streets and flooded homes after a night of pounding rain and wind from Tropical Storm Eta.

The storm made landfall at 4 a.m. near Cedar Key, about 85 miles northwest of Tampa. However, rain bands from Eta began drenching the state long before that. Flooding was reported across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

At least one death in Florida has been blamed on the storm. A man in Bradenton Beach was electrocuted Wednesday evening when he touched an appliance in standing water, Bradenton Beach Police Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz told WFLA.

“It was an accident,” Diaz said. “I’m sure he didn’t realize the appliance was plugged in or the appliance was underwater and that’s what happens it’s a scary situation.”