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6 hours ago
Hurricane Nicole makes landfall near Vero Beach
By Robert Shackelford
People brave rain and strong winds to visit the boardwalk at Jensen Beach, Florida, on November 9.
(Rebecca Blackwell/AP)
Hurricane Nicole made landfall just south of Vero Beach, Florida, according to the 3 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.
It made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 75 mph (120 kilometers per hour).
The system should weaken to a depression early Friday and become a post-tropical cyclone over the southeastern United States.
Since Nicole maintained hurricane intensity until landfall, it is the last hurricane of the calendar year to make landfall on Florida's east coast, breaking the old November 4 record set by Hurricane Yankee in 1935.
2 hours ago
Here's how things stand with Hurricane Nicole as it approaches Florida's east coast
By Amir Vera and Gene Norman
After wreaking havoc in the northwestern Bahamas on Wednesday, Hurricane Nicole is poised to make landfall along Florida's east coast in the next few hours, according to an update from the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east-southeast of Fort Pierce Beach, Florida, moving west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kilometers per hour), the center said early Thursday.
Nicole has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kilometers per hour).
A small change in strength is expected until Nicole makes landfall, according to the Hurricane Center.
"The center of Nicole is expected to move across central and northern Florida into southern Georgia on Thursday and Thursday night, and into the Carolinas on Friday," the hurricane center said.
The cyclone is expected to weaken as it moves across Florida into the southeastern US, and is "likely to become a post-tropical cyclone by Friday afternoon," the center said.
The NHC notes that Nicole will bring "strong winds, dangerous storm surge and torrential rain, with large intense bands extending well out from the center."
The Hurricane Center has warned that threats from Nicole extend beyond its forecast cone.
"Don't focus on Nicole's exact track, as it is a large cyclone with hazards extending north of the center, outside of the forecast cone," the Hurricane Center warned.
"These hazards will affect much of the Florida panhandle and portions of the southeastern United States."
Universities and amusement parks have shut down operations in preparation for Nicole's arrival.
Airlines canceled thousands of flights to prepare.
Tornadoes are also possible as Nicole approaches.
Because an area of ​​convection within the outer bands of Nicole's northwest side is increasing, there is an increased threat of brief, isolated tornadoes, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
To prepare for Nicole, Governor Ron DeSantis expanded his state of emergency -- originally for 34 counties -- to include an additional 11 counties.
2 hours ago
Tornado potential increases overnight as Hurricane Nicole approaches Florida's east coast
By Derek Van Dam
Intense rain bands will move along Florida's east coast overnight as Hurricane Nicole moves toward the coast.
Embedded within these rainbands tornadoes can quickly form, often lasting only a few minutes but strong enough to create damage and threaten lives.
On Thursday, the threat extends inland to the I-301 corridor as the system slides across the Florida panhandle.
Tropical induced tornadoes are common with hurricanes making landfall when rainbands interact with the immediate coastline.
The right front quadrant of the tropical system is where the most likely tornado activity occurs.
3 hours ago
Fort Lauderdale barrier island continues to flood due to storm surge
By Joe Sutton
As Hurricane Nicole approaches Florida's east coast, officials in Fort Lauderdale say storm surge is inundating its barrier island, rendering many roads impassable.
“The barrier island continues to flood due to storm surge from the southern end to the northern end of the city.
Traffic operations are affected and many roads are impassable,” Fort Lauderdale police said Wednesday night on Twitter.
The National Hurricane Center issued several storm surge watches and warnings as Nicole moved toward the state, pushing seawater inland from the coast.
"Attempting to drive during the storm is dangerous and should be avoided," Fort Lauderdale police said.
A high tide was expected around 9 p.m. Miami time, and flooding has already occurred in the area, Fort Lauderdale city officials said.
3 hours ago
Thousands of flights canceled due to the proximity of Hurricane Nicole
By Pete Muntean
Airlines are canceling thousands of flights ahead of Hurricane Nicole.
Data from flight-tracking site FlightAware shows that as of 10 pm Miami time on Wednesday, airlines in the US had canceled more than 900 flights for Wednesday and another 1,100 flights for Thursday.
Orlando International Airport leads the nation in cancellations.
The airport ceased commercial operations on Wednesday afternoon.
American, Delta, Southwest and United Airlines have issued travel waivers that allow affected passengers to rebook their flights free of charge.
Southwest Airlines "has curtailed operations at several airports we serve in Florida," including suspending flights to and from Palm Beach.
“As of now, we plan to resume operations, weather and infrastructure permitting, at those airports tomorrow,” Southwest said in a statement Wednesday.
3 hours ago
Florida colleges are closed today
By Sarah Smart
As Hurricane Nicole moves toward Florida as a Category 1 hurricane, colleges and universities across the state are closing and canceling classes.
Florida State University, the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida and the University of North Florida will close on Thursday, November 10.
The University of South Florida will move all classes remotely on Thursday and the campus will remain closed.
3 hours ago
South Carolina residents and visitors should prepare for Nicole, officials say
By Joe Sutton
The South Carolina Division of Emergency Management is alerting residents and visitors to prepare for possible impacts from Nicole later this week after it makes landfall on Florida's east coast.
"Forecasters with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center believe South Carolina could experience periods of heavy rain, gusty winds, tornadoes and storm surge from Tropical Storm Nicole, with the largest impacts beginning Thursday and continuing through on Friday," the division said in a Wednesday news release.
The agency is also asking residents to have their emergency plans in place.
"The exact location and severity of what Tropical Storm Nicole does to our state will depend on its intensity," said agency director Kim Stenson.
"Given the uncertainty of the storm's strength and path as it approaches South Carolina, residents should have their personal emergency plans ready in case we need to take safety precautions later in the week."
The agency said it is working with state and local agencies in preparation for Nicole.
4 hours ago
Florida restaurant owners brace for Hurricane Nicole
By Leyla Santiago
Jorge Morales and Karla Llanes put up storm panels at their restaurant, Nini's Cuban Restaurant, on Wednesday, November 9.
(Leyla Santiago/CNN)
Jorge Morales and Karla Llanes, both owners of Nini's Cuban Restaurant, put up the last storm panel at their business Wednesday afternoon in Melbourne, Fla., as they prepared for Hurricane Nicole.
The cyclone is expected to hit Florida early Thursday morning as a Category 1 hurricane.
"We're trying to do everything we can (to prepare) right now," Llanes said.
"We have a generator."
Energy remained their biggest concern because it could result in lost business.
"We know it will be blown out by the winds," Llanes said.
Every day that goes by without power, we may have to remain closed,” Llanes said.
Brevard County has four open shelters.
Brevard County spokeswoman Rachel Horst told CNN there were about 30 people in shelters as of Wednesday afternoon.
Horst also emphasized that the county does not close roads before a storm to give residents every opportunity to evacuate.
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