Officials have issued a hurricane watch for the eastern coast of Florida as subtropical storm Nicole approaches the region on Monday.
The storm is moving northwest toward the Bahamas at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, which are projected to increase when it reaches the islands and then tracks toward Florida’s Atlantic Coast, according to an alert released by the National Hurricane Center on Monday afternoon. The statement stated that Nicole is predicted to continue its route into the Bahamas on Tuesday, and that the storm’s center will either move near or over the islands on Wednesday.
Officials predict that Nicole will hit Florida on Wednesday night, according to the hurricane advisory, which also stated that a number of areas along the east coast should begin preparing for storm surges and severe winds typical of tropical storms as early as Tuesday.
Storm surge watches are in force for Brevard, Broward, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Martin, Nassau, Palm Beach, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Volusia Counties until 12pm on Monday, November 7th.
A storm surge watch indicates that a life-threatening flood is possible over the next 48 hours. pic.twitter.com/vApANZdmdG
— Florida Emergency Management Division (@FLSERT) November 7, 2022
The National Hurricane Center classifies a subtropical storm as a cyclone with maximum sustained wind surface speeds of at least 39 mph, but Monday’s advisory indicates that subtropical storm Nicole might be a hurricane or close to becoming one by the time it reaches Florida.
The advisory issued a hurricane watch for more than 200 miles of Florida’s east coast, from Volusia County, east of Orlando, to Hallandale Beach, which is located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, as well as Lake Okeechobe and the northwestern Bahamas. A storm surge watch from Hallandale Beach to Altamaha Sound in Georgia is in force, and a tropical storm watch is in effect for any counties between them that are not under a hurricane warning.
11/7/22 1040AM EST
Satellite imagery of Subtropical Storm #Nicole reveals a hybrid-like structure that is chaotic but expansive. Over the next couple of days, further strengthening is anticipated as the system tries to become fully tropical and approach eastern Florida.
— NWS Tallahassee (@NWSTallahassee) November 7, 2022
Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a state of emergency for 34 eastern counties that may be in the storm’s path.
DeSantis said in a statement, “While it does not appear that this storm will become significantly stronger at this time, I urge all Floridians to be prepared and heed to announcements from local emergency management professionals.” We will continue to track the path and intensity of this storm as it approaches Florida.
Counties along the west coast of Florida were recently struck by Hurricane Ian, which made landfall at the end of September as a destructive Category 4 hurricane that damaged structures and flooded homes as it swept through the state over many days.