Model view from NASA of hurricanes in the Caribbean and Atlantic seas, Hurricane Nicole not pictured – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by lavizzara
Hurricane Nicole is on its way to the “Sunshine” State to make its second landfall Wednesday night as a Category 1 hurricane.
Nicole first made landfall in the northwestern Bahamas just before 12 p.m. on Wednesday on Great Abaco Island. As of 6 p.m., Nicole was 105 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida, and 25 miles west of Grand Bahama Island. The storm is expected to move across Florida and then Southern Georgia. It will reach the Carolinas on Friday.
Where is Nicole headed after Florida?
After making its way through Florida, Nicole is forecasted to move northeast over the Carolinas and Georgia as a weakening tropical depression.
The FOX Forecast Center said heavy rains and strong gusty winds would be the biggest inland concern, while tropical storm-force winds and coastal flooding are likely along the coast.
As is typical with hurricanes or landfalling storms, a few tornadoes are possible to pop up from Wednesday night through Thursday across the east side of Florida, southeastern Georgia, and southeastern South Carolina.
Nicole will make it to the mid-Atlantic and Northeast by Friday morning, where a heavy amount of rain could fall through Saturday.
With isolated totals of up to 6 inches along the Blue Ridge Mountains, areas from Georgia to the southern and central Appalachians, the western mid-Atlantic states, and the eastern regions of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio might receive 2 to 4 inches of rain. From the northern mid-Atlantic to sections of New York state and New England, between 1 and 4 inches of rain are expected.
From the Southeast to the southern and central Appalachians, including the Blue Ridge Mountains, and extending northward through west-central Pennsylvania and into western New York by Friday night, isolated flash, urban, and small-stream flooding will be possible.
No matter where the storm eventually makes landfall, it is important to be prepared and stay indoors. The hurricane will bring severe weather conditions to many beaches throughout Central Florida and strong hurricane gusts inland.
Flagler County remains under hurricane watch, while Volusia and Brevard counties were placed under a hurricane warning. A tropical storm warning has been issued for Osceola, Orange, Seminole, and Lake counties.
Stories that matter are our priority. At Florida Insider, we make sure that the information we provide our readers is accurate, easy-to-read, and informative. Whether you are interested in business, education, government, history, sports, real estate, nature or travel: we have something for everyone. Follow along for the best stories in the Sunshine State.
Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys.
