<p>Eta regained hurricane strength Wednesday morning as Florida braced for a second hit from the storm.</p>.<p>The storm's maximum sustained winds increased to around 75 mph (120 kph) off Florida's southwest coast.</p>.<p>Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami issued a hurricane watch for a 120-mile stretch that includes Tampa and St. Petersburg. The storm has been in the Gulf of Mexico since crossing over South Florida on Sunday.</p>.<p>The latest hurricane watch extends from Anna Maria Island, which is south of St. Petersburg, to Yankeetown.</p>.<p>Eta was about 130 miles west-southwest of Fort Myers early Wednesday and moving at 15 mph (24 kph).</p>.<p>The hurricane center said “life-threatening storm surge" is possible early Thursday, and forecasters advised residents to heed warnings from local officials.</p>.<p>Tropical storm-force winds are expected in the area by late Wednesday.</p>.<p>Forecasts call for more rain from the storm system over parts of already drenched South Florida.</p>.<p>“Never seen this, never, not this deep,” said Anthony Lyas, who has lived in his now-waterlogged Fort Lauderdale neighbourhood since 1996.</p>.<p>He described hearing water and debris slamming against his shuttered home overnight as the storm crossed Florida. </p>
<p>Eta regained hurricane strength Wednesday morning as Florida braced for a second hit from the storm.</p>.<p>The storm's maximum sustained winds increased to around 75 mph (120 kph) off Florida's southwest coast.</p>.<p>Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami issued a hurricane watch for a 120-mile stretch that includes Tampa and St. Petersburg. The storm has been in the Gulf of Mexico since crossing over South Florida on Sunday.</p>.<p>The latest hurricane watch extends from Anna Maria Island, which is south of St. Petersburg, to Yankeetown.</p>.<p>Eta was about 130 miles west-southwest of Fort Myers early Wednesday and moving at 15 mph (24 kph).</p>.<p>The hurricane center said “life-threatening storm surge" is possible early Thursday, and forecasters advised residents to heed warnings from local officials.</p>.<p>Tropical storm-force winds are expected in the area by late Wednesday.</p>.<p>Forecasts call for more rain from the storm system over parts of already drenched South Florida.</p>.<p>“Never seen this, never, not this deep,” said Anthony Lyas, who has lived in his now-waterlogged Fort Lauderdale neighbourhood since 1996.</p>.<p>He described hearing water and debris slamming against his shuttered home overnight as the storm crossed Florida. </p>