'Here we are again': Lake County braces for wind, rain, flooding from Tropical Storm Nicole
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TAVARES — Traffic lights were swaying and whitecaps rolled across lakes Wednesday morning as Lake County residents braced for tropical storm force winds from Tropical Storm Nicole.
Those winds could come as early as late Wednesday afternoon and are expected to last through the night into early Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
“Unfortunately, here we are again,” County Commission Chairman Sean Parks said during a Wednesday morning press conference at the Emergency Operations Center.
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The “again,” of course, referred to Hurricane Ian, which caused record flooding in the St. Johns River at Astor in September.
It is still flooded – and, along with it, some streets. Some homes and businesses were flooded.
What to expect from Nicole
Nicole is expected to make landfall in southeast Florida Wednesday night. Hurricane, storm surge and tropical storm alerts have been issued from Florida to South Carolina. Coastal flooding, beach erosion and storm surges are expected. Tornadoes are possible.
The center crossed the northwest Bahamas with maximum with sustained winds of 70 mph early Wednesday.
On Monday, the National Weather said that “potential impacts … will cause river levels to rise due to increasing winds and heavy rainfall. Heights are forecast to level off near 3.8 feet this weekend. Residents should prepare for levels to rise again through the week.”
The flood stage is 2.3 feet. “At 4 feet major flooding occurs with water entering the first story of many homes and businesses along the river. Some roads become inaccessible and rescues are likely needed. Major flooding is considered to be 4 feet.”
The water surpassed record levels dating to 1933, when it hit 4.71 feet during Hurricane Irma.
Nicole is expected to be both a water and wind event, said Megan Milanese, the county’s emergency management director.
The wind is expected to be 40 mph to 55 mph, with gusts up to 75 mph, she said. Rain could range from 3 inches to 8 inches.
The storm, which is expected to hit southeast Florida as a Category 1 hurricane, has a large cone of uncertainty and a massive wind field.
It poses an unusual hazard, coming one day after the midterm election, with campaign signs becoming potential “missiles,” Parks said.
“I would ask any candidate that still has signs out to make every effort to take them down this morning,” he said.
Closings and other storm-related details
Schools have canceled classes Thursday. Friday was already set to be a day off for Veterans Day, said School Superintendent Diane Kornegay. Lost Lake Elementary and Umatilla Elementary are designated shelters for special-needs residents, and those shelters are pet-friendly, as well. They opened at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Parents with children in after-school programs are being urged to pick up their children by 4 p.m.
The citizen information hotline is operational 24/7 at 352-253-9999. The website is https://lakecountyfl.gov/storm.
Public Works Director Fred Schneider said garbage and trash pickup will be pushed back a day.
Fire-Rescue Chief Jim Dickerson warned people to keep generators at least 20 feet from homes, and not be placed under overhangs or porches. Exhaust flow should be pointed away from homes. Use flashlights, not candles, he urged.
As for the bobbing and weaving traffic lights: If the power goes out, consider the intersection to be a four-way stop, he said.
Dog days
Wednesday’s news conference was unusual in that it included a puppy.
Whitney Boylston, the director of the animal shelter, urged residents to make sure their hurricane plan includes provisions for pets. They should be microchipped if possible. If not, she urged people to write contact information on collars with markers.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Lake County, Florida braces for Tropical Storm Nicole
