Eta was upgraded to a hurricane Monday morning, threatening to bring "catastrophic" damage to parts of Central America and the Caribbean over the next few days, the National Hurricane Center warned.
Eta was predicted to make landfall early Tuesday near the Nicaragua-Honduras border as a Category 4 hurricane, with winds estimated at 140 mph.
"Catastrophic wind damage is expected where Eta's eyewall moves onshore," the Hurricane Center said, adding that "heavy rainfall from Eta will likely lead to catastrophic, life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding across portions of Central America."
Storm surge up to 18 feet above normal tides was also possible for the coast of Nicaragua.
As of 10 a.m. ET Monday, Eta had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph and was located about 115 miles east of the Nicaragua-Honduras border, according to the Hurricane Center. It was moving west at 9 mph
Here in the Cayman islands the National Weather Service has advised that an increase in cloudiness and showers along with moderate to fresh winds and rough seas are expected across the Cayman area over the next few days in association with the movement of Hurricane Eta as it nears the Honduras Nicaragua border.
Radar images show scattered showers in and around the Cayman area which are moving towards the west to southwest. The Cayman Islands National Weather Service will continue to monitor the progress of this system. For further details visit www.nhc.noaa.gov.
Winds are South to southeast ranging from 15 to 30 knots with higher gusts
The sea state is rough with wave heights of 5 to 7 feet on Monday and Tuesday and may increase to 7 – 9 feet on Thursday.
A small craft warning will be in effect from Monday.
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