CNN –
A powerful storm with torrential rain and damaging winds could hit Florida’s east coast as a Category 1 hurricane this week as many residents are still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Subtropical Storm Nicole is expected to slowly strengthen as it approaches the Florida peninsula, bringing heavy rain that could lead to dangerous storm surges and strong winds starting Wednesday, according to Jamie Rhome, acting director of the National Hurricane Center.
“We’re probably going to have good chunks of the Florida peninsula affected by these conditions,” Rhome said Monday in a video posted online.
More than 20 million people are under tropical storm warnings from Hallandale Beach, Florida, as far north as Altamaha Sound, Georgia, according to CNN meteorologist Robert Shackelford. Additionally, a tropical storm warning has been issued for Lake Okeechobee in South Florida, he said.
Additionally, more than 5 million people are under storm surge warnings from North Palm Beach northward to Altamaha Sound, including the mouth of the St. Johns to Georgetown, Shackelford added.
As of early Tuesday, more than 8 million people were under a hurricane watch in Florida, Shackelford said. The storm is expected to make landfall Thursday morning over West Palm Beach, he said.
Areas along the state’s west coast from north of Bonita Beach to the Ochlockonee River were also under a tropical storm watch Tuesday morning.
Nicole was about 400 kilometers east-northeast of the northwestern Bahamas on Tuesday morning. It is expected to become a tropical storm later Tuesday.
Nicole is not expected to intensify as quickly as Hurricane Ian did in late September when it killed at least 120 people in its path across Florida and devastated communities that are still reeling from the destruction.
“We’re not forecasting a major hurricane,” Rhome said. “Again, it’s not a situation Ian, but it’s still a potentially impactful system.”
Impact in the sense that it is expected to be a strong tropical storm or a Category 1 hurricane when it reaches Florida Wednesday evening through Thursday morning, Rhome said.
“Florida residents need to take this seriously,” Rhome said.
The warning comes as a hurricane watch is in effect for Florida’s east coast from the Volusia/Brevard county line to Hallandale Beach, according to the hurricane center.
The watch also extends from North Miami to the Space Coast and includes Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Cape Canaveral and Melbourne.
Subtropical Storm Nicole packs winds of 45 mph, with higher gusts, on Tuesday as it moves toward Florida from the northwestern Bahamas, where a hurricane warning is in place.
“Don’t let the ‘sub’ fool you. #Nicole is a formidable storm that will have major impacts along the Southeast US coast, not just near the center. Coastal flooding, large waves and rip currents will extend from the tip of FL into NC,” the National Weather Service explained.
cnntemps
As many Floridans head to the polls Tuesday for midterm election day, forecasters are warning them to be prepared.
“Florida can expect scattered showers and thunderstorms to begin affecting parts of the state Tuesday afternoon,” Shackelford said.
“The storm surge will be accompanied by large and damaging waves. Residents in the warning area should heed the advice of local officials,” the hurricane center said.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said online that she had been notified of the storm and urged residents to prepare.
“Residents and visitors should monitor the forecast and make sure their storm gear is up to date,” Levine Cava said in a social media post. “We are taking all necessary precautions to prepare for possible flooding and power outages.”
Officials do not expect the storm to affect Election Day on Tuesday.
Rhome, the hurricane center’s acting director, said the potential for coastal flooding exists for a large area along the east coast of the Florida peninsula beginning Wednesday, adding that some of these areas were affected by Hurricane Ian.
The main threats for Florida are heavy rainfall of up to 7 inches and storm surge that could rise to 5 feet along the coast combined with strong winds. These conditions are expected mainly for Wednesday evening and Thursday.