Eastern panhandle to see potential effects from Tropical Storm Nicole

UPDATE —

Inclement weather is expected to arrive in Gulf and Franklin counties early Thursday morning.

Both Gulf District Schools and Franklin County Schools cancelled instruction through Friday, November 11.

ORIGINAL REPORT —

Tropical Storm Nicole is strengthening as it approaches the Bahamas, and Florida’s East Coast is likely to see the first hurricane landfall from the east since 2005 by early Thursday morning.

Widespread coastal flooding, tropical storm-force winds, and heavy rain will begin overnight Tuesday into Wednesday in eastern Florida, with impacts reaching northwest to the eastern Panhandle into Thursday.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the center of Nicole is located around 400 miles east of Melbourne, moving west at about 10 mph. Over the next 12 to 24 hours, Nicole will dip southwestward in response to powerful ridging over the Southeast U.S., before a west and west-northwest motion resumes Wednesday.

It is projected to be a category 1 hurricane when it hits the Bahamas later Wednesday.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for coastal and inland Franklin County and flood watches have been issued throughout Gulf County, with significant rainfall and heavy winds becoming increasingly likely in the area.

Storm surges of up to 5 feet are also possible in the area Thursday night going into Friday.

At this time, officials advise residents to monitor the weather.

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