Subtropical Storm Nicole is on track to become a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches Florida

Subtropical Storm Nicole moves toward Florida 0:45

(CNN) --

A powerful storm with torrential rains and damaging winds could hit Florida's east coast as a Category 1 hurricane this week, with many residents still reeling in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

Subtropical Storm Nicole is expected to slowly strengthen as it approaches the Florida panhandle, bringing heavy rain that could bring dangerous storm surge and high winds starting Wednesday, according to Jamie Rhome, acting director of the National Hurricane Center. NHC).

"We're probably going to have a good chunk of the Florida panhandle affected by these conditions," Rhome said Monday in an informational video posted online.

More than 20 million people are under tropical storm warnings from Hallandale Beach, Florida, to Altamaha Sound, Georgia, according to CNN meteorologist Robert Shackelford.

In addition, a tropical storm warning has been issued for Lake Okeechobee in southern Florida, he said.

Additionally, more than 5 million people are under storm surge warnings from North Palm Beach north to Altamaha Sound, including the mouth of the St. Johns River to Georgetown, Shackelford added.

As of early Tuesday morning, 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, she said.

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Areas along the state's west coast from north of Playa Bonita to the Ochlockonee River were also under a tropical storm watch Tuesday morning.

Nicole was about 400 miles east-northeast of the northwestern Bahamas on Tuesday morning.

It is expected to become a tropical storm later Tuesday.

Nicole is not expected to rapidly intensify like Hurricane Ian did in late September when it left at least 120 people dead in its wake in Florida and ripped through communities still reeling from the destruction.

"We're not forecasting a major hurricane," Rhome said.

"Again, it's not an Ian-like situation, but it's still a potentially shocking system."

Shocking in that it is forecast to be a strong tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane when it hits Florida between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, Rhome said.

“Floridians need to take this seriously,” Rhome said.

The warning comes as a hurricane watch is currently in effect along Florida's east coast, from the Volusia/Brevard county line to Hallandale Beach, according to the hurricane center.

The surveillance also extends from north of Miami to the Space Coast and includes Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Cape Canaveral and Melbourne.

On Tuesday, Subtropical Storm Nicole has a wind speed of 72 kilometers per hour, with higher gusts, as it heads toward Florida from the northwestern Bahamas, where a hurricane warning is in effect.

“Don't let the 'sub' fool you.

#Nicole is a formidable storm that will have major impacts along the southeastern coast of the United States, not just near the center.

Coastal flooding, large waves, and rip currents will extend from the tip of FL to NC," the National Weather Service explained.

Millions of people in Florida under storm watch on Election Day

As many people in Florida head to the polls on 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 listen to the advice of local officials," the hurricane center said.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said online that she received information about 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 potential flooding and power outages.”

Authorities do not expect the storm to affect election day.

Rhome, acting director of the hurricane center, said there is a possibility of coastal flooding in a large area along the east coast of the Florida panhandle beginning Wednesday, adding that some of those areas were hit by the hurricane. Ian.

The main threats to Florida are torrential rains of up to 7 inches and storm surge that could rise up to 5 feet along the coast combined with strong winds.

Those conditions are primarily forecast for Wednesday night and Thursday.

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