Live Tropical Storm Nicole 2 p.m. update: What to expect in Sarasota-Manatee, cancellations and closures

Staff Report
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A trimaran sailboat was pushed by winds from Tropical Storm Nicole into the Tony Saprito Pier along the John Ringling Causeway in Sarasota, Florida on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022.

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Tropical Storm Nicole: Winds up to 70 mph. Forecast calls for Florida landfall as hurricane

2 p.m. | National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center updates on Tropical Storm Nicole

Not much has changed in the latest forecast from the National Weather Service office in Ruskin. Tropical Storm Nicole remains on track to make landfall in southeast Florida tonight, with tropical storm conditions reaching the Tampa Bay area by Thursday morning.

Nicole is currently 300 miles east of Sebring. Sarasota-Manatee can expect small, quick-moving showers with gusts up to 40 mph this afternoon and evening.

The main shield of tropical storm-force winds move into the area after midnight.

Winds are most likely to calm by early afternoon Thursday for both Sarasota and Manatee County.

The predicted rainfall is still 2-4 inches for the area.

– Stefania Lugli

1:45 p.m. | Manatee and Sarasota schools closed on Thursday due to Tropical Storm Nicole

Both Sarasota and Manatee County schools will be closed Thursday as Tropical Storm Nicole makes its way toward Florida's east coast, the districts announced today.

– Steven Walker

12:30 p.m. | SCF cancels classes due to Tropical Storm Nicole

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) will close at 1 p.m. today and all three campuses will remain closed on Thursday, Nov. 10 due to Tropical Storm Nicole. Classes that can continue virtually will be held if possible.

The College will be closed as scheduled on Friday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Scheduled classes and activities will resume at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 unless notified otherwise.

The Bradenton and Venice State College of Florida Collegiate School campuses will operate as scheduled today with regularly scheduled dismissal. After school and extracurricular activities are canceled. Both Collegiate Schools will be closed Nov. 10 due to Tropical Storm Nicole. SFCS Bradenton will be closed Nov. 11 in observance of Veteran’s Day with SCFCS Venice resuming classes unless notified otherwise.

10:15 a.m. | Tropical Storm Nicole strengthens, escalating potential impact to Sarasota-Manatee

Tropical Storm Nicole strengthened Tuesday night and nudged slightly south, increasing potential impacts for the Suncoast region, according to a Wednesday morning forecast from the National Weather Service office in Ruskin.

Nicole has sustained winds of 70 mph and is expected to make landfall in southeast Florida Wednesday night, creeping into the Tampa Bay area by Thursday morning.

All counties in west central and southwest Florida escalated their tropical storm watches into warnings — meaning that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.

Manatee and Sarasota counties may see wind speeds from 39 to 57 mph. The most likely time of arrival for tropical storm conditions is around 10 p.m. Wednesday, according to Ross Giarratana, a meteorologist at NWS - Ruskin.

"We don't want people thinking that a category 1 hurricane or tropical storm is nothing," Giarratana said. "You can't compare (Nicole) to Ian, but you should still be prepared."

As for rain, both counties can expect 2-4 inches, with the potential for localized flooding. The heaviest rain is forecast to be northeast of Nicole’s eye as it tracks through the state.

The Little Manatee River and Peace River (especially in DeSoto county) could show minor flooding Friday or Saturday.

– Stefania Lugli

10:05 a.m. | Manatee County opens shelter in anticipation of Tropical Storm Nicole

Manatee County announced it has opened a "safe haven" shelter at Freedom Elementary in Bradenton.

"The pet-friendly shelter is opening for those residents who wish to evacuate their homes voluntarily should they feel their homes could be compromised due to damage from Hurricane Ian and for residents of mobile or manufactured homes," read a press release.

“People know their homes,” said County Administrator Dr. Scott Hopes. “If their roof or home sustained damage, we want to assure them there is a place for them to weather Tropical Storm Nicole.”

The release also said that Manatee County Emergency Management is working with the School District of Manatee County to determine if there will be school closures on Thursday.

10:00 a.m. | All Faiths Food Bank postpones Thanksgiving turkey distribution due to Tropical Storm Nicole

All Faiths Food Bank has postponed several Thanksgiving turkey distributions originally planned for Thursday. According to a press release:

"The Ed Smith Stadium distribution will now take place next Thursday, November 17, 4-6 p.m. The two large-scale turkey distributions taking place in Sarasota ... are now:

  • Thursday, November 17, 4-6 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium - NEW DATE

  • Saturday, November 19, 9-11 a.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Two other distributions further south have also been postponed: Venice Middle School (now Thursday, November 17, 5-6:30 p.m.) and Lamarque Elementary School in North Port (date is still TBD)."

All Faiths expects to distribute 13,000 turkeys and 3.6 million holiday meals this year. Community members are encouraged to visit the "Food Finder" page on All Faiths' website for up-to-date distribution information.

9:00 a.m. | When will Tropical Storm Nicole impact Sarasota-Manatee?

Sarasota and Manatee counties have been placed under a Tropical Storm Warning due to Tropical Storm Nicole.

According to the National Hurricane Center 7 a.m. update, Sarasota and Manatee counties can expect tropical storm force winds as soon as early this afternoon. The area can also expect 2-4 inches of rain over the next two days.

On Tuesday night, Manatee County declared a local state of emergency.

The emergency declaration allows county staff to perform any emergency actions necessary during the storm. It also allows county officials to activate the Emergency Operations Center at full capacity; it has been activated at Level Two since Tuesday afternoon.

Tropical Storm Nicole grew even stronger overnight, with sustained winds at 70 mph, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

On the forecast track, the center of Nicole is expected to make landfall along the east coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area tonight as a Category 1 hurricane, with winds of 75 mph.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 460 miles, especially to the north of the center and outside of the forecast cone.

Sarasota-Manatee closures and cancellations due to Tropical Storm Nicole

North Port

  • Storm debris collection has been suspended. It is anticipated that crews will resume picking up debris on Friday morning.

  • The Disaster Recovery Center at Shannon Staub Library closed Monday evening because of projected impacts from Nicole.

  • The city opened a self-serve sandbag station today to help residents prepare for potential impacts from the storm. The sandbag station is behind the George Mullen Activity Center, 1602 Kramer Way, at the end of City Center Boulevard. Bags, sand and shovels will be available, however, residents are encouraged to bring a shovel if available to reduce wait times. There will be a limit of five sandbags per vehicle.

Manatee County

  • Emergency Operations Center is slated to close at the end of business Tuesday and reopen as soon as weather permits.

Sarasota County

  • The Choral Artists of Sarasota postponed its Wednesday "Peace on Earth" concert scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Selby Gardens' Historic Spanish Point until Jan. 11 because of Nicole.

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration also closed its disaster field operations centers effective Wednesday because of Nicole. They will reopen Monday. The SBA center in Sarasota County is located in Room E. at the Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave. South.

Schools

  • SCF has canceled classes beginning at 1 p.m. today and continuing through Thursday.

  • The Bradenton and Venice State College of Florida Collegiate School campuses will be closed on Nov. 10. All after-school activities are canceled on Nov. 9.

  • Both Sarasota and Manatee County Schools have canceled all sporting and extracurricular events scheduled for Wednesday.

  • New College has canceled classes on Wednesday and Thursday, and classes were already canceled on Friday for Veterans Day.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Live: Sarasota-Manatee what to expect Tropical Storm Nicole path track