Hurricane Zeta leaves six dead, millions without power across eastern US

Hurricane Zeta ripped through the eastern U.S. Wednesday and Thursday, leaving at least six dead.

The storm made landfall Wednesday afternoon as a Category 2 hurricane, knocking out the power of 2.6 million homes and businesses, USA Today reported.

Heavy winds reportedly ripped off roofs and knocking down power lines in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia while downpours caused massive flooding in the streets.

One man died from electrocution in New Orleans, another drowned in Biloxi, Miss., and at least four people in Alabama and Georgia were killed by falling trees.

ZETA’S AFTERMATH

Daylight has started to reveal the extent of the devastation close to where #HurricaneZeta made landfall near Cocodrie, LA.
Vía: @WeatherNation#LAwx pic.twitter.com/u49nmDoApy

— CS NOTICIAS / Norte de Coahuila y Sur de Texas (@CsNoticias_Coah) October 29, 2020

The National Hurricane Center estimated that Zeta’s wind speeds topped 110 mph.

In New Orleans, footage showed a completely dark Bourbon Street on Wednesday night. As of Friday morning, more than 320,000 customers were still without power in the city, according to utility company Entergy.

Hurricane Zeta knocks out power on Bourbon Street. @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/sgu7JCzYuO

— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) October 29, 2020

The power outages impacted early voting logistics for portions of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida ahead of Tuesday’s elections.

Douglas County, Ga., west of Atlanta, reported all six of its polling locations were without power.

Waveland, Miss., Mayor Mike Smith said some areas along the coast sustained damages at a level not seen since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Zeta marks the 27th named storm this year and the 11th tropical storm or hurricane to impact the United States.