The images of the ravages of Eta in Central America 0:58
(CNN) -
Tropical Storm Eta continues to bring torrential rains and damaging winds to the Caribbean islands on Saturday.
Eta had made landfall along the Nicaraguan coast as a Category 4 hurricane on Tuesday afternoon.
It took more than 60 cm.
rain to parts of Nicaragua and Honduras this week.
Another 5 to 13 cm is still in the forecast for Saturday.
of rain.
Eta is far from over and appears to be heading towards islands in the western Caribbean Sea and Cuba.
It is located west of Grand Cayman Island and has sustained winds of 96 km / h with stronger gusts.
Tropical storm force winds extend up to 130 km outside the center of the storm.
"Tropical storm conditions are expected for Sunday night in the Florida Keys and parts of the southeastern coast of Florida, where a tropical storm warning is in effect," said the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). , for its acronym in English) on Saturday afternoon.
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Eta in the Cayman Islands, Cuba and Jamaica
Eta is also expected to bring heavy rains and storm surge to the Cayman Islands, Cuba and Jamaica this weekend.
There is a tropical storm warning for the Cayman Islands, parts of central Cuba, the northwestern Bahamas, and parts of southern Florida, including the Keys.
There is a tropical storm warning in effect for parts of western Cuba and the east and west coasts of Florida.
Eta is expected to strengthen for the next 18 to 24 hours before making landfall in central Cuba on Sunday.
Isolated total rainfall of more than 60 cm is possible.
both in Cuba and in the Cayman Islands until the middle of next week.
This rainfall could lead to flash floods and life-threatening landslides in areas with higher ground.
A dangerous 60 cm storm surge is also forecast.
1.2 meters along the coast of Cuba, near where Eta would make landfall on Sunday.
I'm heading to South Florida
After passing through Cuba, Eta is expected to head towards and potentially over the Florida Keys on Monday.
And then continue to the Gulf of Mexico.
Eta will begin impacting South Florida on Sunday, bringing with it heavy rain and tropical storm-force winds.
A flood warning is in effect for much of South Florida through Tuesday night, where it is possible for 6 to 10 inches of rain.
"Recent heavy rains in the region have caused the soil to become saturated and urban flash floods could become a threat by the end of the weekend and early next week, depending on how the storm progresses," the meteorologist said. by CNN Derek Van Dam.
#Eta is currently forecast to approach southern Florida Monday morning as a Tropical Storm.
Heavy Rain is expected: 5-10 inches with isolated areas of up to 15 inches possible across portions of the Florida peninsula.
For more information, please visit https://t.co/pyol8aO16N pic.twitter.com/vlH8QyJJuZ
- NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) November 7, 2020
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez declared a state of emergency Friday while monitoring the storm.
"We expect to experience heavy rains through Monday and possible tropical storm-force winds starting Sunday," Giménez said.
Miami-Dade County will open an evacuation center at 2 p.m. ET Saturday for residents living in static caravans, low-lying areas or anyone else in need of shelter, according to a county government news release.
Storm surge forecast
In addition to heavy rains, Eta is expected to bring a dangerous storm surge to Florida's coastal areas.
A storm surge of 60 to 90 cm is forecast.
from North Miami Beach to Marco Island, including Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys.
A storm surge of 30 to 60 cm is forecast.
for portions of the east coast of Florida from the Flagler / Volusia County line to North Miami Beach.
After Eta passes through South Florida and the Keys, there is still uncertainty on the route to the Gulf of Mexico and there may be changes over the weekend.
CNN's Mallika Kallingal and Alaa Elassar contributed to this report.