Tropical Storm Nicole to make landfall in Florida as Category 1 hurricane; schools, districts closed

Tropical Storm Nicole is predicted to intensify into a Category 1 hurricane on its course toward Florida.

The latest track from the National Hurricane Center indicates Nicole potentially affecting our immediate east coast in Brevard County and Central Florida. As of Tuesday, Nicole’s maximum sustained winds are at 50 mph. The landfall is expected to uproot thousands of trees and destroy many homes.  For tree services, reach out to Mencer’s Tree Service.

Risks of accidents will be on the rise if Nicole exhibits hurricane-like strength. Authorities recommend staying indoors and avoiding car journeys.

Even for experienced drivers, as a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer warns, it can be difficult to avoid chain reaction collisions in these conditions.

Tropical Storm Nicole tracker.

“Nicole could become a hurricane just before a strike on the Atlantic side of the state,” said FOX 35 Storm Team Chief Meteorologist Jayme King. “That center line goes in right through the southern Space Coast over the Melbourne and Palm Bay area, although anywhere in that cone is fair game.”

“Strengthening is expected during the next 36 to 48 hours, and Nicole is forecast to be near or at hurricane strength by Wednesday and Wednesday night while it is moving near the northwestern Bahamas and approaching the east coast of Florida,” the National Hurricane Center said.

WARNINGS 

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for: 

• The Abacos, Berry Islands, Bimini, and Grand Bahama Islands in the northwestern Bahamas
• Boca Raton to Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida

🔔 TROPICAL STORM NICOLE UPDATE: District-operated schools and offices will be CLOSED on Wednesday, November 9 and Thursday, November 10, as TS Nicole continues to track closer to Florida’s east coast. Visit https://t.co/1ElLS6D0h1 for all updates and detailed information. pic.twitter.com/E73r8HsUzN

— The School District of Palm Beach County (@pbcsd) November 8, 2022

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for: 

• Andros Island, New Providence, and Eleuthera in the northwestern Bahamas
• Hallandale Beach, Florida to Boca Raton Florida
• Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida to Altamaha Sound, Georgia
• Lake Okeechobee

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for: 

• North Palm Beach, Florida to Altamaha Sound, Georgia
• The mouth of the St. Johns River to Georgetown Florida

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for: 

• Hallandale Beach to Boca Raton Florida
• Lake Okeechobee
• Flagler/Volusia County Line to Ponte Vedra Beach

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for: 

11am AST Monday, November 7 Key Messages for Subtropical Storm #Nicole.

Hurricane & Storm Surge Watches have been issued for the east coast of Florida, and the Tropical Storm Watch has been changed to a Hurricane Watch for the NW Bahamas.

Latest: https://t.co/cycFrL7kup pic.twitter.com/9wkF370eMr

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) November 7, 2022

• South of North Palm Beach to Hallandale Beach, Florida
• Altamaha Sound, Georgia to Savannah River, Georgia
• Anclote River, Florida to Suwannee River, Florida

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for: 

• South of Hallandale Beach to the north of Ocean Reef, Florida
• North of Bonita Beach to the Ochlockonee River, Florida   

Out of an abundance of caution, Superintendent Mike Burke has made the decision to CLOSE District-operated schools and offices on Wednesday, November 9 and Thursday, November 10, as Tropical Storm Nicole continues to track closer to Florida’s east coast. pic.twitter.com/Poze3GyiMb

— Lake Worth Beach (@LakeWorthBchPBC) November 8, 2022

Hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area along the east coast of Florida Wednesday night, with tropical storm conditions expected by tonight or early Wednesday within the tropical storm and hurricane warning areas.

A dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.

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