Chatham Emergency Management Agency advises residents to prepare for tropical storm force winds

Update: Nov. 9, 3 p.m.

Comcast issued a release earlier today outlining steps its taking to prepare for Tropical Storm Nicole and restore its network should it be impacted by the storm. Comcast encourages its customers to also

Stay clear of downed power and cable lines in the interest of safety.

Plug TVs, modems and cable boxes into a surge protector to protect them from damage in case of lightning or a power outage or surge.

Restarting or resetting devices, including wireless gateways, modems, routers, and cable boxes once electricity has been restored after an outage.

Check for service outages at Xfinity.com/support/status.

Storm Path: Tropical Storm Nicole hits Bahamas with 70-mph winds. Florida expecting landfall as hurricane

Update: Nov. 9, 9:30 a.m.

The Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) said this morning CEMA has entered the Readiness Phase (Operating Condition 3) and is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Nicole as it makes its way to Florida.

According to CEMA, Chatham County could be impacted by tropical storm force winds within the next 36 hours.

"The greatest impact to Chatham County could be heavy rainfall, with predictions of up to 2-3 inches, coastal flooding, and Tropical Storm wind gust. A risk of severe weather, including tornadoes spawned by Nicole also exists. Residents in low-lying areas should stay alert for possible flooding."

Tropical storm monitoring: CEMA monitoring Subtropical Storm Nicole; Chatham could feel first effects on Tuesday

CEMA recommends Chatham County residents do the following:

• Secure loose items that could be affected by gusty winds.

• Prepare for potential power outages due to high winds and isolated tornadoes.

CEMA is coordinating response efforts with local, regional and state agencies. It also is conducting conference calls with local, regional, state agencies, and volunteer and private sector partners.

Update: 11:49 p.m.

Based upon the latest information from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Nicole is close to hurricane strength with sustained winds of 70 mph. The storm sit 150 ENE of the Bahama Islands and is moving WSW at 10 mph.

Storm Surge and Tropical Storm watches remain in effect for coastal Georgia and South Carolina.

Update: 4 p.m.

According to the National Hurricane Center's 4 p.m. advisory, a Storm Surge Watch has been issued from the Savannah area, from the Savannah River to the South Santee River, South Carolina. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued north of the Altamaha Sound near Darien to the South Santee River, South Carolina.

Tropical Storm Nicole has intensified and is expected to grow into a Category 1 hurricane by the time it reaches the east coast of Florida on Wednesday. The storm's maximum sustained winds have reached 65 mph as it approaches West Palm Beach at about 10 mph.

Relief: Hurricane Ian victims find help and a home in Savannah as they raise money to recuperate

If Nicole remains on her current path, Savannah and other Georgia coastal areas likely will experience coastal flooding during Thursday's high tides. Savannah and Tybee Island will experience its heaviest rainfall, according to Ron Morales with the National Weather Service in Charleston, Thursday night and Friday morning.

Residents are encouraged to can sign up for CEMA Alerts at https://www.chathamemergency.org/ or text CEMA to 77295 to receive up to date information as it becomes available.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Tropical Storm and Storm Surge watches issued for coastal Georgia