Subtropical Storm Nicole is forecast to keep strengthening and is expected to be a Category 1 hurricane when it approaches Florida’s east coast late Wednesday into Thursday morning, the Natio…
A rare November hurricane could batter Florida’s east coast this week as residents try to recover from deadly Hurricane Ian.
Subtropical Storm Nicole is forecast to keep strengthening and is expected to be a Category 1 hurricane when it approaches Florida’s east coast late Wednesday into Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center said Monday.
Warmer than normal ocean waters in the region will allow strengthening as the system develops and could lead to the formation of a November hurricane, CNN Meteorologist Brandon Miller said.
The last hurricane to strike the US in November was Hurricane Kate in 1985.
A hurricane watch is now in effect along the east coast of Florida, from the Volusia/Brevard county line to Hallandale Beach, the National Hurricane Center said.
The watch extends from just north of Miami to the Space Coast and includes Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Cape Canaveral and Melbourne.
A storm surge watch has also been issued for parts of Florida and Georgia, from Altamaha Sound to Hallandale Beach and from the mouth of the St. Johns River to East Palatka.
Florida officials have warned residents — including some recently hit by devastating Hurricane Ian — that the new storm could bring heavy rain and damaging winds this week.
“Heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, gale force winds and rip tides will impact eastern Florida and the southeast US,” CNN Meteorologist Robert Shackelford said.
Rainfalls in the Sunshine State could range between 2 and 4 inches, with isolated amounts possibly exceeding 6 inches, Shackelford said.
Already, the US territories of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands are under a flash flood watch through Monday afternoon.
