Zeta Causes 2 Million Power Outages, Speeds Its Way Into Virginia

Downed power lines and other damage from Hurricane Zeta are seen in Chalmette, La., Thursday. Seven hurricanes have hit the Gulf Coast in 2020, bringing extensive destruction to the area.

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Rescue and emergency teams are sorting through the damage wrought by Hurricane Zeta, which made landfall in Louisiana as a very strong Category 2 storm Wednesday afternoon. Zeta brought powerful winds to much of the southeast, where more than 2 million power customers are now without electricity.

The hurricane struck Louisiana’s coast with winds of 110 mph, arriving Wednesday afternoon near Cocodrie, in Terrebonne Parish. Its eye then pushed inland over New Orleans and neighboring areas before rushing on to Mississippi and nearby states.

At least six deaths are blamed on the storm, according to The Associated Press. The number includes four people killed by falling trees in Alabama and Georgia, a man who drowned in Mississippi and another man who was electrocuted by live power lines.