NEW REPORT: Tropical Storm Nicole Moves Through Bahamas, Will Impact Brevard County Tonight
By Space Coast Daily // November 9, 2022
Nicole is carrying 70 mph max sustained winds
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – National Hurricane Center is continuing to monitor Tropical Storm Nicole as the system moves through the Bahamas on Wednesday where it will later strengthen as a hurricane when it strikes the Florida’s East Coast.
Nicole is carrying 70 mph max sustained winds and moving to the west at 13 mph.
At this time, Nicole shows it will most likely be a direct strike for the area of Port St. Lucie and Stuart tonight and continue through Thursday morning.
Brevard County still remains under a Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Warning.
Brevard County can expect peak Storm Surge to hover around 3-5 feet, according to the latest data by the National Hurricane Center.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 34 of Florida’s 67 counties and Florida Power & Light has urged customers to prepare for power outages and activated its emergency response plan ahead of Nicole’s potential impact on the state this week.
The tropical storm was just a few miles per hour from hurricane power as it produced sustained winds of 70 mph and headed toward the Florida coast and is expected to strengthen more before landfall early Thursday as the first hurricane to strike the United States in November in almost 40 years.
“Nicole is a formidable storm that will have major impacts all along the southeastern U.S. coastline, not only near the center. Coastal flooding, large waves and rip currents will extend from the tip of FL to NC,” the National Weather Service tweeted.
It is projected to be a strong tropical storm or a Category 1 hurricane – with sustained winds of at least 74 mph – by the time it reaches Florida Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.
Brevard County on Tuesday issued an evacuation recommendation, starting Wednesday, for residents on the barrier islands, including areas from Kennedy Space Center south beaches and Merritt Island, those in flood-prone areas, mobile and manufactured home residents and people with special medical needs who are dependent on electricity.
The following shelters will be available for the general population, families wishing to bring their pets, and those with medical special needs who have pre-registered or been screened by the Florida Department of Health-Brevard.
■ Max K. Rodes Community Center, 3410 Flanagan Ave., West Melbourne, FL 32904
■ South Mainland Community Center, 3700 Allen Ave., Micco, FL 32976
■ Viera Regional Community Center, 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, FL 32940
■ Walter Butler Community Center, 4201 N Cocoa Blvd, Cocoa, FL 32927
