The latest on a storm forecast to affect Florida’s east coast.
Develop all
Nicole will begin to strengthen on Tuesday as Florida’s east coast braces for a possible Category 1 tropical storm or hurricane later this week. As of 4 a.m. Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center placed Subtropical Storm Nicole 400 miles east-northeast of the northwestern Bahamas. The storm, with sustained winds of 45 mph, is traveling northwest at 8 mph. In addition to hurricane watches already issued along Florida’s east coast, the hurricane center issued a tropical storm warning early Tuesday for parts of the state’s west coast. Early Tuesday morning, an Air Force “hurricane hunter” plane surveyed Nicole’s “large wind field,” according to an update from the hurricane center. So what’s next? According to forecasters, South Florida could experience flooding, heavy rain, storm surge and strong winds Wednesday night and Thursday as the storm makes its way down the coast. Hurricanes are expected in parts of the Bahamas on Wednesday. “Nicole will bring heavy rainfall Wednesday and Thursday across the Florida peninsula. Flooding and flooding will be possible in urban areas,” the hurricane center said in an advisory Tuesday morning. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 34 Florida counties, including South Florida, and warned people to keep a close eye on the forecast. “I urge all Floridians to be prepared and listen to announcements from local emergency management officials,” DeSantis said in a statement. Nicole was expected to make a sharp left turn toward the Bahamas and Florida. Forecasters said the broad field of winds, mainly to the north of the storm, could consolidate as Nicole approaches, causing a stronger blow. Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, said Floridians should be prepared for a low-level hurricane to a high-level tropical storm. Preparations should be done by sundown Tuesday for East Coast residents, he said. “It’s not an Ian situation, but it’s still a potentially impactful situation,” Rhome said. “Florida residents should pay attention.” READ MORE: When will Miami and the rest of Florida feel the rain and wind of Subtropical Storm Nicole? Subtropical Storm Nicole National Hurricane Center
Watches and warnings
▪ A tropical storm watch has been issued for the west coast of Florida north of Bonita Beach to the Ochlockonee River. ▪ A tropical storm warning has been issued from Hallandale Beach in Broward County to Georgia’s Altamaha Sound, the hurricane center said Monday in its 10 p.m. advisory. Lake Okeechobee is also under a tropical storm warning. ▪ The hurricane center also upgraded its storm surge watch to a storm surge warning from North Palm Beach north to Altamaha Sound, including the mouth of the St. Louis River. Johns in Jacksonville to Georgetown. ▪ A storm watch has been issued south of North Palm Beach for Hallandale Beach. ▪ A hurricane watch is in effect for Florida’s east coast from the Volusia-Brevard county line to Hallandale Beach and Lake Okeechobee. And the area from Hallandale Beach north of Ocean Reef — including Miami-Dade County — is under a tropical storm watch. Forecasters said Nicole was expected to make landfall Wednesday night, but strong winds, flooding and storm surge could increase earlier in the day. This report will be updated This story was originally published on November 8, 2022 4:15 am. Editor of the Day Jeff Kleinman, born and raised in South Florida, oversees coverage, public service and trending news.
