Update on Tropical Storm Eta – Parking Fees Waived for Hollywood Residents for 48 Hours at City-Operated Garages (1st Come Basis)
Eta remains a moderate to strong tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. The center of circulation is located over central Cuba and is moving north-northeast at 12 mph. South Florida is no longer in Eta’s three-day forecast cone, however tropical storm force winds (>39 mph) extend 115 miles from the center. The Hollywood area remains under a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning.
Eta is expected to slow its forward motion as it turns toward the northwest over the Florida Straits toward the Gulf of Mexico late Sunday. The National Hurricane Center expects Eta to be near hurricane strength (70 mph sustained winds) when it nears the Florida Keys late Sunday.
The Hollywood area should expect strong sustained and gusts beginning around 4:00 p.m. today through Monday. Fast-moving squalls from Eta’s outer bands have already begun impacting much of South Florida, and residents should expect an increase in squally weather as Eta nears the Florida peninsula. This includes short periods of heavy rain and high winds. Tornadoes are possible through Monday night.
Predicted rainfall totals for Hollywood could be in excess of 9 inches over the next 48 hours. The upcoming high tides for Hollywood are 2:49 p.m. Sunday, 3:09 a.m. and 3:49 p.m. Monday. These times coincide with the expected onset of heavy rainfall from Eta. There is a high risk of flooding due to heavy ground saturation. Beach erosion also is a possibility.
Parking Fees Waived for 48 Hours for Hollywood Residents at City-Operated Garages
Parking fees will be waived for Hollywood residents on a first come, first served basis at all City-operated parking garages in advance of the storm. Beginning at noon today (Sunday, November 8th), and for the next 48 hours, parking fees will be waived at City-operated garages. Residents will be required to provide identification with a Hollywood address to staff upon entry to a City-operated garage to qualify for the 48 hour parking fee waiver. All vehicles must be properly parked in a marked parking space.
PLEASE BE AWARE: Parking fees will resume at noon on Tuesday, November 10th. Residents will need to remove their vehicles by this time in order to avoid incurring standard parking rate charges. No exceptions.
Bridges On Lock Down
The Florida Department of Transportation has begun locking down bridges in Miami-Dade and Broward County. It is doing so in ascending order from south to north, up to the New River in Fort Lauderdale. The bridges will be locked down through Sunday evening. Lock down means bridges will not be raised for vessels until conditions improve Sunday evening.
Motorists are reminded to use caution, avoid traveling on flooded streets and to not drive around barricades. Health officials are also reminding the public to avoid wading through standing water and to prohibit children from play in flooded streets.
The Hollywood Police Department and Hollywood Fire Rescue are on stand-by to deploy high-profile vehicles when and where they are needed and City staff is activated and ready to respond. Residents are advised to stay informed by trusted news providers like the National Weather Service Miami and the National Hurricane Center.