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Nicole strengthens into a hurricane as it heads toward Florida’s east coast

1 min ago

Hurricane Nicole brings dangerous storm surge and strong winds to Grand Bahama Island

From CNN’s Haley Brink

Nicole remains a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. The hurricane continues to bring dangerous storm surge and strong winds to Grand Bahama Island, the hurricane center said.

A storm surge of 4 to 6 feet is expected along the immediate coast of the northwestern Bahamas as Nicole continues to track over the islands.

“Hurricane-force winds extend outward 10 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 485 miles from the center especially to the north of the center,” the hurricane center said. “A Mesonet observation site on Freeport, Grand Bahama Island recently reported a wind gust to 61 mph.”

Nicole continues to track west at 13 mph and is 20 miles east-northeast of Freeport, Bahamas, and 100 miles west of Palm Beach, Florida.

“Little change in strength is expected this evening, and Nicole is forecast to remain a hurricane until it reaches the east coast of Florida tonight or early Thursday,” the hurricane center said.

7 min ago

Universities across Florida will close Thursday ahead of Hurricane Nicole

From CNN’s Sara Smart

As Hurricane Nicole makes its way toward Florida as a Category 1 hurricane, colleges and universities across the state are closing and canceling classes.

Florida State University, the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida, and the University of North Florida will close on Thursday, November 10.

The University of South Florida will move all classes remotely on Thursday, and the campus will remain closed.

12 min ago

11 buildings in Florida are at risk of structural collapse as Hurricane Nicole approaches

From CNN’s Joe Sutton

Authorities in Daytona Beach Shores fear that at least six buildings in their city are at risk of collapse as Hurricane Nicole approaches the coast.

At least six buildings were deemed at risk of structural collapse Wednesday, Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety Department Director Michael Fowler told CNN. 

We went door-to-door to evacuate over 200 people in the last couple of hours,” Fowler said.

Fowler noted these buildings had sustained damage during Hurricane Ian and beach erosion is undermining the buildings. 

Previously, Fowler said there were five other buildings that were evacuated due to the risk of collapse, which was the result of Hurricane Ian. 

In total, 11 buildings are at risk of collapse. 

Daytona Beach Shores is located in Volusia County.

18 min ago

Flood warning in effect for St. Johns River in Florida

From CNN’s Haley Brink

A flood warning is in effect until further notice for the St. Johns River near Astor and Deland in Florida, according to the National Weather Service office in Melbourne.

“The forecast point at Astor is rising quickly due to north to northeast winds causing a backup of levels at the southern end of Lake George,” the weather service said. “The forecast point at Deland is currently rising quickly due to a combination of northeast winds and 1 to 2 inches of rainfall that has already fallen associated with Hurricane Nicole.”

The river gauge at Astor is quickly approaching major flood stage (4 feet) and is forecast to crest at 4.2 feet early Thursday morning. At 4 feet, “major flooding occurs, with water entering the first story of many homes and businesses along the river,” according to the weather service. “Some roads inaccessible and rescues likely needed.”

The river gauge at Deland is quickly approaching moderate flood stage (4.8 feet) and is forecast to crest around 4.9 feet on Friday. At 4.8 feet, “water starts to enter low lying buildings around Hontoon Island,” according to the weather service. “Many secondary roads and homes in low lying areas are flooded.”

Both of these river gauges along the St. Johns River have been in flood stage since Hurricane Ian brought flooding rains to the region just six weeks ago.

58 min ago

Nicole strengthens into a hurricane

From CNN’s Haley Brink

Nicole has now strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and has sustained winds of 75 mph, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.

“Recent observations from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Nicole has strengthened into a hurricane,” the center said.

The storm is currently 25 miles east-northeast of Freeport, Bahamas, and 105 miles to the east of West Palm Beach, Florida. Hurricane Nicole continues to track westward at 12 mph toward Florida’s east coast with an expected landfall after midnight.

1 hr 36 min ago

Authorities won’t “come to drag you out of your house” if residents don’t evacuate, Nassau County sheriff says

From CNN’s Joe Sutton

Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper speaks during a news conference on November 9.
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper speaks during a news conference on November 9. (WJXT)

Authorities in Nassau County, Florida, held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to inform residents of the evacuation orders for portions of the county in anticipation of impacts from Tropical Storm Nicole. 

The evacuation orders were issued for residents who reside in Zones A and D, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said at the news conference.

Zone A includes Amelia Island beaches and low areas, according to the county evacuation plan. Zone D includes the areas of Nassauville, Blackrock, Pirates Woods and Chester, according to the county evacuation plan. 

We’re not going to come to drag you out of your house — if you’re in the evacuation zones and you don’t leave, then it’s your responsibility to take care of yourself,” the sheriff said.

Nassau County is in the northeast corner of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and Interstate 95, north of Jacksonville.

1 hr 59 min ago

Residents and visitors in South Carolina need to prepare for Tropical Storm Nicole, authorities say

From CNN’s Joe Sutton

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is alerting residents and visitors to prepare for likely impacts from Tropical Storm Nicole later this week.

Residents “should monitor Tropical Storm Nicole, which could affect many parts of the state after making landfall along (the) east coast of Florida. Forecasters with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center believe South Carolina could experience periods of heavy rain, gusty winds, tornadoes and storm surge due to Tropical Storm Nicole, with the greatest impacts beginning Thursday and lasting into Friday,” SCEMD said in a Wednesday news release. 

The agency is also asking residents to have their emergency plans in place.

“The exact location and the severity of what Tropical Storm Nicole does to our state will depend on its intensity,” SCEMD Director Kim Stenson said. “Given the uncertainty of the storm’s strength and path as it approaches South Carolina, residents need to have their personal emergency plans ready to go just in case we need to take safety precautions later in the week.”

The agency said it is working with local and state agencies in preparation for Nicole. 

2 hr 29 min ago

Restaurant owners prepare and brace for the incoming storm

From CNN’s Leyla Santiago 

Jorge Morales and Karla Llanes are seen putting up storm panels on their restaurant, Nini's Cuban Restaurant, on Wednesday, November 9.
Jorge Morales and Karla Llanes are seen putting up storm panels on their restaurant, Nini’s Cuban Restaurant, on Wednesday, November 9. (Leyla Santiago/CNN)

Jorge Morales and Karla Llanes, who both own Nini’s Cuban Restaurant, were putting up the last storm panel on their business Wednesday afternoon in Melbourne, Florida, as they prepared for Tropical Storm Nicole.

The storm is expected to hit Florida Wednesday as a Category 1 hurricane.

“We are trying to do everything possible (to prepare) right now,” Llanes said. “We have a generator.”

Power remained her biggest concern because it could result in loss of business. 

“We know it’s going to be out because of the winds,” Llanes said.

Every day that goes by without power, we may have to remain closed,” Llanes said.

Brevard County has four shelters open right now. Rachel Horst, Brevard County spokesperson, tells CNN there are about 30 individuals at the shelters. Horst also emphasized the county does not close causeways before a storm to give residents every opportunity to evacuate.

2 hr 29 min ago

St. Lucie County sheriff urges all visitors to exit barrier islands and closes bridges ahead of Tropical Storm Nicole

From CNN’s Joe Sutton

As Tropical Storm Nicole tracks closer to Florida’s east coast, authorities in St. Lucie County will close bridges that connect to the barrier islands.

“Due to deteriorating conditions, the bridges to the barrier islands will close at 4:00 p.m. today,” St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara said in a statement on Twitter.

All visitors must exit the island,” the sheriff’s statement read.

The sheriff’s department also said that the storm surge from Nicole had breached a sea wall in the county.

“The storm surge from Tropical Storm Nicole has breached the sea wall along Indian River Drive … Barricades will be in place through the duration of this storm. Please use alternate routes,” the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/hurricane-nicole-florida-updates-11-09-22/index.html