CNN
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A powerful storm with torrential downpours and high winds could slam into Florida’s east coast this week as a Category 1 hurricane, as many residents are still enduring the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Subtropical Storm Nicol is expected to slowly intensify as it approaches the Florida peninsula, bringing heavy rains leading to dangerous storm surges and strong winds starting Wednesday.
“Probably a significant portion of the Florida peninsula will be affected by these conditions,” Rome said on Monday. Video briefings posted online.
More than 20 million people are under tropical storm warnings from Hallandale Beach, Florida to Altamaha Sound, Georgia, according to CNN meteorologist Robert Shackelford. Additionally, a tropical storm warning has been issued for Lake Okeechobee in southern Florida, he said.
In addition, more than 5 million people have been warned of storm surges from North Palm Beach to Altamaha Sound north and from the mouth of the St. Johns River to Georgetown, Shackelford added.
As of early Tuesday, more than 8 million people were under hurricane surveillance in Florida, Shackelford said. The storm is expected to make landfall in West Palm Beach Thursday morning.
Areas along the state’s west coast, north of Bonita Beach to the Ocroconee River, were also on alert for a tropical storm Tuesday morning.
Nicole was about 400 miles northeast of the northwestern Bahamas on Tuesday morning. A tropical storm is expected later on Tuesday.
Nicole is not expected to intensify as quickly as Hurricane Ian did in late September in Florida, killing at least 120 people in its path and ravaging communities still affected by the destruction.
“We are not predicting a big hurricane,” Rohm said. “Again, it’s not Ian’s situation, but it’s still a potentially influential system.”
It is influential in the sense that it is predicted to be a strong tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane by the time it reaches Florida from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning, Rhome said.
“Florida residents need to take this seriously,” Rome said.
The warning was issued because Hurricane Watch is now in effect along Florida’s east coast from the Volusia/Brevard County line to Hallandale Beach, according to the Hurricane Center.
The clock also extends from just north of Miami to the Space Coast, including Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Cape Canaveral and Melbourne.
Subtropical Storm Nicole is getting gusty with winds reaching 45 mph on Tuesday as it heads from the northwestern Bahamas to Florida, where a hurricane warning is in effect.
“Don’t let the ‘sub’ fool you. #Nicole is a formidable storm with significant impacts not only near the central region, but across the southeastern US coastline. Coastal flooding, large waves, and rip currents will extend from the tip of Florida to North Carolina,” the National Weather Service said. explained.
With many people across Florida heading to vote on midterm election day on Tuesday, forecasters warn them to prepare.
“Florida is expected to have sporadic showers and storms beginning to affect parts of the state by Tuesday afternoon,” Shackelford said.
“Storm surges are accompanied by large, destructive waves. Residents of exclusion zones should heed the advice of local authorities,” the Hurricane Center said.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniela Levine Cava said online She was briefed about the storm and urged residents to prepare.
“Residents and visitors should monitor forecasts and ensure their storm kits are up to date,” Levine Cava said in a social media post. “We are taking all necessary precautions to prepare for potential floods and power outages.”
Officials don’t expect the storm to affect Tuesday’s election day.
Hurricane Center’s acting director, Rome, said there was potential for coastal flooding in large areas along the east coast of the Florida peninsula from Wednesday, adding that some of those areas were hit by Hurricane Ian.
The main threats to Florida are heavy rainfall of up to 7 inches and storm surges that can rise up to 5 feet along the coast in combination with strong winds. These conditions are expected primarily on Wednesday evening and Thursday.
