Nicole nears hurricane strength as it churns toward Florida

Tropical Storm Nicole neared hurricane strength early Wednesday as it headed toward Florida's Atlantic coast and the southeastern United States.

Previously a subtropical storm, Nicole has turned into a tropical storm and was all but assured to become a hurricane overnight, the National Hurricane Center said.

President Joe Biden approved federal emergency aid for 45 counties, including Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Broward, Flagler, and Seminole.

If Nicole becomes a hurricane, it would be the third in the Atlantic this month, tying the 2001 season for the most Atlantic hurricanes in November, according to Phil Klotzbach, an atmospheric science researcher at Colorado State University.

By Wednesday afternoon, the tropical storm was about 210 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph — just 4 mph shy of Category 1 hurricane status.

It was moving west at 12 mph, according to the hurricane center.

Flights at several airports were canceled ahead of the storm's arrival. Palm Beach International Airport stopped all flights Wednesday morning, while Orlando International Airport said it was shutting down all commercial operations at 4 p.m. In Daytona Beach, the airport closed at 12:30 p.m. and plans to reopen Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville airports remain open but warned travelers to check with their airline for possible flight delays or cancellations.

More than 500 Florida National Guard members have been activated to help with response efforts.

"These forces are actively pre-staging throughout the state but will remain flexible to re-position where needed to ensure a quick response," the agency said. "Our forces are prepared to conduct a variety of missions to include bridge entry control points, traffic control points, search and rescue, security, and installation of Tiger Dam systems."

In preparation for the storm, Walt Disney World Resort theme parks will have a "phased closure" beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday and will remain closed through Thursday morning. Guests staying at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and at Saratoga Springs Resort's Treehouse Villas are also required to leave, the park said, noting that it will help people find alternative accommodations.

Hurricane conditions had been expected in the northwestern Bahamas late Tuesday into Wednesday morning, and by Wednesday evening the same was forecast for the central and southern Atlantic coastline of Florida, forecasters said.

Its strength was such that an overnight storm surge watch was issued for the other side of Florida, along the Panhandle east of Panama City, from the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass, they said.

The hurricane center warned the entire state to be prepared for heavy weather.

"Do not focus on the exact track of Nicole since it is expected to be a large storm with hazards extending well to the north of the center, outside of the forecast cone," it said in a "key messages" bulletin.

"These hazards are likely to affect much of the Florida Peninsula and portions of the Southeast United States," it said.

Hurricane warnings were in effect overnight for a wide stretch of the state's eastern shore — from Boca Raton, north of Miami, to the Flagler County line, north of Daytona Beach — forecasters said.

In an update Wednesday, Flagler County Emergency Management said evacuation orders for the barrier islands take effect at 3:30 p.m.

Other warnings urge residents to prepare and evacuate if necessary, as life-threatening conditions, including hurricane-strength winds of 74 mph or greater, storm surges and coastal flooding, were en route.

"Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," the hurricane center said in a late-night public advisory.

A storm surge warning, which forecasts dangerously high ocean, wetland and river waters, was in effect from North Palm Beach, Florida, to Altamaha Sound, Georgia, it said.

Forecasters said central and northern Florida could expect 3 to 5 inches of rain, with 8 inches possible.

Storm surf is likely to affect a long stretch of the coastline, from the east coast of Florida to the southeastern United States, the hurricane center said.

"These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," it said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com