ORLANDO, Fla. – Tropical Storm Nicole is gaining strength as it continues to move toward Florida prompting a hurricane warning for parts of Florida’s east coast. Nicole will approach the northwestern Bahamas on Tuesday and approach the east coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area on Wednesday night. The center of Nicole is then expected to move across central and northern Florida into southern Georgia on Thursday and Thursday night. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph. “Nicole is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday when it is near the northwestern Bahamas and to remain a hurricane when it approaches the east coast of Florida,” the National Hurricane Center said.
WARNINGS AND WATCHES
A hurricane warning is in effect for:
The Abacos, Berry Islands, Bimini and Grand Bahama Island in the northwestern Bahamas Boca Raton to Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida
A tropical storm warning applies to:
Andros Island, New Providence and Elefthera in the northwestern Bahamas Hallandale Beach Florida to Boca Raton Florida Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia Lake Okeechobee
A storm warning applies to:
North Palm Beach Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia Estuary of the St. Johns 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:
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
According to the National Hurricane Center’s latest forecast, Nicole is forecast to become a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall on Florida’s east coast. The latest forecast track has Nicole cutting a direct path through Central Florida – possibly as a tropical storm – before making a turn north. Most of Florida remains in the cone of uncertainty. Several inches of rain are forecast in some areas, and the potential for damaging wind gusts of up to 85 mph and flooding is a major concern. The eastern side of Florida could feel tropical-like winds by Wednesday morning, then spread across Central Florida by 2 a.m. Thursday with hurricane-force winds before weakening. The FOX 35 Storm Team says you should complete your hurricane preparations by Wednesday, no later than 3 p.m., as weather conditions are expected to worsen. Possible power outages.
