CNN
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A powerful storm containing heavy rain and damaging winds is set to slam Florida’s east coast as a Category 1 hurricane on Thursday, with scattered showers starting Tuesday afternoon as voters head to the midterm elections.
Subtropical Storm Nicole is expected to make landfall over West Palm Beach on Thursday morning as many in Florida continue to endure the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, CNN meteorologist Robert Shackelford said.
“Don’t let ‘subs’ fool you. #Nicole is a powerful storm that will have a major impact on the southeastern US coastline, not just near the center. Coastal flooding, high waves and rapids will extend from the tip of Florida to North Carolina,” National Weather Service tweet.
Churning 385 miles east-northeast in the northwest Bahamas early Tuesday, Nicole was strengthening and turning into a tropical storm, then starting Wednesday with heavy rain that could cause dangerous storm surge and high winds, Jamie Lom said , acting director of the National Hurricane Center.
Follow the Nicole gentlemen
It is expected to be a severe tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane by the time it reaches Florida Wednesday night through Thursday morning, Roma said in a statement Monday. Video Briefings Published Online.
Up to 7 inches of rain and storm surge are forecast Wednesday night and Thursday, with a possible 5-foot rise along the coast, combined with strong winds.
“The storm surge will be accompanied by large, damaging waves. Residents in the warning area should heed the advice of local officials,” the hurricane center said.
The storm is not expected to intensify as quickly as Ian did in late September before killing at least 120 people in Florida and destroying still-devastated communities.
“We’re not predicting a major hurricane,” Romm said. “Again, not Ian’s case, but still a potential impact system.”
More than 16 million people are under tropical storm warnings from Hallandale Beach, Florida, north to Altamaha Bay, Georgia, plus Lake Okeechobee in southern Florida, Shackelford said — expected The area will have a condition within 36 hours. Along the state’s west coast — from north of Bonita Beach to the O’Clockney River — where Ian slammed it is now under tropical storm watch.
More than 5 million people were under storm surge warnings from North Palm Beach, Florida, to north of Altamaha Bay, Georgia, including the mouth of the St. Louis River. Johns River to Georgetown, he said.
On Florida’s east coast, from north Miami to the Space Coast, including Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Cape Canaveral and Melbourne, nearly 9 million people will complete hurricane monitoring within 48 hours, Shackelford said .
The Miami-Dade County mayor urged residents to prepare.
“Residents and visitors should monitor forecasts and ensure their storm gear is up to date,” Mayor Daniella Levine Cava online say“We are taking all necessary precautions to prepare for potential flooding and power outages.”
Miami-Dade County officials do not expect the storm to affect Election Day, Levenkava said.