'Take this storm seriously,' says Brevard public safety director on Tropical Storm Nicole

Dave Berman, Florida Today
·4 min read

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Brevard County Public Safety Director Matt Wallace warned county residents Tuesday not to brush off Tropical Storm Nicole, even though it appears it will be a weaker storm than Hurricane Ian, which hit the state in late September, leaving a path of death and destruction.

"Take this storm seriously," Wallace said during a Facebook Live briefing Tuesday afternoon. "It's coming. Please protect your families. Please be safe."

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The storm is expected to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday along Florida's east-central coast — possibly within Brevard County — and it could cause lots of damage and misery.

Brevard County Emergency Management Director John Scott said that Nicole is expected to have "strong tropical-storm-force winds" of 55 to 70 mph when it reaches Brevard County, with the potential for even higher gusts. Rain totals will be 4 to 7 inches, with 8 or more inches in some areas.

"Very concerned about flooding," Scott said, especially in areas affected by flooding from Hurricane Ian.

Tropical Storm Nicole and the full moon generate big waves and high surf Tuesday morning at the Cocoa Beach Pier.
Tropical Storm Nicole and the full moon generate big waves and high surf Tuesday morning at the Cocoa Beach Pier.

Scott also warned of possible impacts of storm surge.

Experts say the surge will be likely be exacerbated by the “king tides” caused by Tuesday’s full moon.

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Brevard County officials are recommending that certain groups of residents evacuate, including:

  • Residents who live on the barrier islands, including areas near Kennedy Space Center, the south beaches and Merritt Island.

  • Residents in mobile homes or manufactured housing.

  • Residences in low-lying, flood-prone areas.

  • Any residents with special medical needs, such as electrical dependence.

But Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey emphasized during the briefing that there will be no mandatory evacuations in Brevard County; that bridges and causeways will remain open through the storm; and that there will be no curfews in effect.

During the briefing, Scott announced the locations of four emergency shelters for people not wanting to stay in their homes during the storm:

  • Max K. Rodes Community Center, 3410 Flanagan Ave., West Melbourne.

  • South Mainland Community Center, 3700 Allen Ave., Micco.

  • Viera Regional Community Center, 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way.

  • Walter Butler Community Center, 4201 N. Cocoa Blvd., Sharpes.

The shelters will open 9 a.m. Wednesday for those in the recommended evacuation groups and for people who feel unsafe in their homes.

These shelters will be available for general population; for families wishing to bring their pets; and for those with medical special needs who have pre-registered or been screened by the Florida Department of Health-Brevard.

Scott advised that people also could stay with family or friends in areas where they felt safe, and suggested even renting a hotel room.

Space Coast Area Transit will provide transportation to the shelters for registered special-needs clients. To request transportation to a special needs shelter call 2-1-1.

Although shelters will provide food, residents going to shelters will need to take their own supplies, including:

  • Bedding, folding chairs or sleeping bags.

  • Any needed medications.

  • Multiple changes of clothing and and sturdy shoes.

  • Personal hygiene items.

  • Entertainment items, like games, cards, books or magazines.

Scott said residents with Hurricane Ian questions can call the community information hotline at 2-1-1.

Scott said residents should be "making smart choices out there," and not drive around during the storm or to view damage just after the storm.

"Our biggest fear is that no one takes this storm seriously," Ivey said.

In other developments discussed during the briefing:

  • Brevard County government offices will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.

  • Waste Management trash collection will halt at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

  • County officials advised residents to remove any debris from the side of the road, so they don't become a projectile in Nicole's high winds.

  • Brevard County's Emergency Operations Center in Rockledge will go to full-scale "Level 1" activation on Wednesday morning

Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bydaveberman.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Tropical Storm Nicole should be taken seriously says Brevard safety director