Escambia County has declared a local state of emergency as Storm Zeta approaches the Gulf Cost. Zeta is forecast to make landfall between Louisiana and the Mississippi/Alabama border late Wednesday or early Thursday. Eric Gilmore, Escambia County Emergency Manager, said the Emergency Operations Center will be activated at a level 2. A special-needs, pet-friendly and general shelter will open at the Pensacola Bay Center beginning at 8 a.m. today and is expected to close Thursday at 3 p.m.