Brevard County issues evacuation advisory for Tropical Storm Nicole
Emergency officials have issued an evacuation recommendation Tuesday afternoon for much of the Brevard coast ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Nicole.
County Emergency Management officials issued a press release advising evacuations for residents living on the barrier islands, including Kennedy Space Center, south beaches and Merritt Island. Volusia County has also issued an evacuation advisory.
The recommendation to leave extends to those living in mobile and manufactured homes, as well as for people in low-lying and flood prone areas, or those who have special medical needs and rely on electricity.
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The Brevard evacuation advisory is effective from 7am Wednesday, but residents may leave at any time.
“We encourage evacuating residents to stay with friends or family, hotels if they have the means, or use one of our public shelters,” the release states.
Most of the east coast of Florida is under a hurricane warning, marking the second time in six weeks that Florida residents are facing a major storm since Hurricane Ian landed on the west coast of the state, leaving death and destruction in its wake.
As of now, Nicole is a tropical storm in the Atlantic Ocean. The system is expected to strengthen as it makes its way toward the east coast of Florida, potentially becoming a Category One hurricane by the time it lands early Thursday morning.
Nicole is expected to bring winds between 70-80 mph, between 4 and 6 inches of rain, and a powerful storm surge, according to the National Hurricane Center projection Tuesday. Storm surge warnings have been issued throughout the eastern coast of the state extending into Georgia.
In a separate press release, Brevard County said it will be opening four shelters for people interested.
Max K. Rodes Community Center, 3410 Flanagan Ave., West Melbourne, FL 32904
South Mainland Community Center, 3700 Allen Ave., Micco, FL 32976
Viera Regional Community Center, 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, FL 32940
Walter Butler Community Center, 4201 N Cocoa Blvd, Cocoa, FL 32927
The facilities will open 9am Wednesday for those in the recommended evacuation groups and for people who feel unsafe in their homes.
Ralph Chapoco is government and politics watchdog reporter. You can reach Chapoco at rchapoco@floridatoday.com and follow him on Twitter @rchapoco.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Tropical Storm Nicole: Brevard County issues evacuation advisory
