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Here’s how things stand with Hurricane Nicole as it approaches Florida’s east coast
After wreaking havoc in the northwestern Bahamas on Wednesday, Hurricane Nicole is poised to make landfall along Florida’s east coast in the next few hours, according to an update from the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east-southeast of Fort Pierce Beach, Florida, moving west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kilometers per hour), the center said early Thursday. Nicole has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kilometers per hour).
A small change in strength is expected until Nicole makes landfall, according to the Hurricane Center.
“The center of Nicole is expected to move across central and northern Florida into southern Georgia on Thursday and Thursday night, and into the Carolinas on Friday,” the hurricane center said.
The cyclone is expected to weaken as it moves across Florida into the southeastern US, and is “likely to become a post-tropical cyclone by Friday afternoon,” the center said.
The NHC notes that Nicole will bring “strong winds, dangerous storm surge and torrential rain, with large intense bands extending well out from the center.”
The Hurricane Center has warned that threats from Nicole extend beyond its forecast cone.
“Don’t focus on Nicole’s exact track, as it is a large cyclone with hazards extending north of the center, outside of the forecast cone,” the Hurricane Center warned.
“These hazards will affect much of the Florida panhandle and portions of the southeastern United States.”
Universities and amusement parks have shut down operations in preparation for Nicole’s arrival. Airlines canceled thousands of flights to prepare.
Tornadoes are also possible as Nicole approaches.
Because an area of ​​convection within the outer bands of Nicole’s northwest side is increasing, there is an increased threat of brief, isolated tornadoes, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
To prepare for Nicole, Governor Ron DeSantis expanded his state of emergency — originally for 34 counties — to include an additional 11 counties.
