Tropical Storm Nicole strengthens, escalating impact to Sarasota-Manatee
The Sarasota-Manatee area will continue to feel tropical storm-force winds through Thursday afternoon due to Tropical Storm Nicole's trek across the state.
Forecasters predicted wind speeds from 39 to 57 mph, with the most likely time of arrival for local tropical storm conditions predicted for 10 p.m. Wednesday,
All counties in West Central and Southwest Florida saw the tropical storm watches escalated to tropical storm warnings Tuesday — meaning that tropical storm conditions were expected within 36 hours.
"We don't want people thinking that a Category 1 hurricane or tropical storm is nothing," said Ross Giarratana, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Ruskin. "You can't compare (Nicole) to Ian, but you should still be prepared."
Both Sarasota and Manatee County schools announced they would be closed Thursday because of the storm.
As for rain, both counties should see about 2-4 inches, with the potential for localized rain 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.
East Coast forecast
Nicole made its first landfall at 11:55 a.m. on Great Abaco Island in the northwestern Bahamas. Maximum sustained winds were reported at 70 mph, by the National Hurricane Center.
On its current forecast track, the center of Nicole was expected to make its next landfall Wednesday night along the Treasure Coast as a Category 1 hurricane, with winds of 75 mph.
Nicole's center was then forecast to move across central and northern Florida into southern Georgia Thursday and Thursday night, and then into the Carolinas Friday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 460 miles, especially to the north of the center and outside of the forecast cone.
Manatee opened 'Safe Haven' shelter
County officials announced Wednesday the opening of a "Save Haven" shelter at Freedom Elementary, located at 9515 State Road 64 in Bradenton.
The pet-friendly shelter is open for 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, according to the statement.
“People know their homes,” said Scott Hopes, the county administrator. “If their roof or home sustained damage, we want to assure them there is a place for them to weather Tropical Storm Nicole.”
Officials stress that the shelter is a last resort and encourage evacuees to stay with friends and family if possible.
Nicole makes landfall Wednesday night
The National Hurricane Center predicted landfall along the east coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area Wednesday night as a Category 1 hurricane, with winds of 75 mph.
Nicole was forecast to become a hurricane near the Northwestern Bahamas and remain a hurricane when it reached the east coast of Florida.
Nicole's center is then forecast to move across central and northern Florida into southern Georgia Thursday and Thursday night, and then into the Carolinas on Friday.
Don't focus on whether Nicole becomes a hurricane. At this point the impacts will be the same. As shown here , they extend well outside the track cone. #Nicole has TS winds out 460miles from its center mostly in its northern semicircle. Battering waves/erosion will continue. https://t.co/NgER3Ierek
— Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) November 9, 2022
Nicole's impacts are expected to affect most of Florida, as tropical-storm-force winds can extend outward up to 460 miles — especially to the north of the center and outside of the forecast cone.
Stefania Lugli covers a little of everything for the Herald-Tribune. You can contact her at slugli@heraldtribune.com or dm her on Twitter at @steflugli.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota, Manatee will feel Nicole's tropical storm conditions tonight
