NEW YORK – Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to hit Florida, possibly as a Category 1 hurricane, within mid-week before heading to the northeastern coast of the United States, where her remains could flood the New York City area with up to 4 inches of rain, along with winds and storm surges starting Friday.
At this point, the three-state area is expected to see 1 to 2 inches of generally diffuse water, with larger quantities expected locally. A frontal system is expected to move into the region from Friday to Saturday and interact with Nicole, which could lead to higher totals. Much could change in the coming days depending on the storm’s path. follow the path herein.
Nicole is expected to become a hurricane before landing in Florida overnight Wednesday through Thursday, and most of the state’s east coast could see 3- to 5-foot swells, which could be dangerous. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings, along with storm warnings and clocks, are already in place for some industries.
At the local level, rains, sometimes abundant, are expected for Friday and Saturday throughout the day. There are currently no widespread problems expected for the three-state area. Once the system passes, temperatures drop from the mid-60s to the 40s, where they should remain for most of the next week.
Along Florida’s central Atlantic coast, nervous county leaders have warned residents that the tropical storm could lead to more flooding and beach erosion just weeks after Ian flooded the region with unprecedented water levels.
In Volusia County, home to Daytona Beach, county officials have advised coastal residents to consider moving to a safer location as soon as possible.
Volusia County Emergency Director Jim Judge said the area could receive 4 to 8 inches of rain and winds strong enough to cause widespread flooding and power outages, along with more permanent damage.
“We need to take this storm very seriously because it could cause more coastal erosion, which could be devastating to our waterfront properties affected by Hurricane Ian,” the judge said in a statement.
Volusia County is one of the few counties in Florida where driving is permitted on the beaches. Vehicles were banned on the sand from Tuesday until the storm passed. County officials said repairs to Ian’s damaged levees were on hold. Building inspectors were also monitoring the structural integrity of about two dozen waterfront homes already damaged by Ian and threatened by the new storm.
“The impact potential is very significant in terms of erosion,” said Jessica Fentress, director of the Volusia County Coastal Division. “They ask for a swell event, plus a high tide plus a windy situation.”
In Seminole County, northeast of Orlando, officials opened sandbag distribution sites on Monday.
Just as floods had receded from hundreds of residents’ homes, Seminole County faced the possibility of 7 inches of rain in some areas of Danielle, said Alan Harris, Seminole County Emergency Officer.
Officials are also concerned about the dangers of the wind which raises large mounds of debris still left on the roads and construction sites left by Ian.
“Nobody wants to hear it, but that’s what it looks like today,” Harris said at a press conference on Monday. “We are trying to prepare our community for the worst and hope for the best.”
The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1st and ends on November 30th.
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