TROPICAL DEPRESSION NICOLE Live Blog: System Pulling Away From NCFL

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - We’re tracking Nicole as it affects North Central Florida. Conditions expected to slowly improve in our area.

7:00 a.m. Tropical Depression Nicole in Georgia

Nicole continues to weaken as it moves through Georgia...and away from NCFL. Moisture on the southern side of the system will give us a chance of rain for at least the first part of our Friday. Expect a mostly cloudy, breezy day today. More sunshine and mostly dry weather is in the forecast through the weekend.

10:15 p.m. Tropical Depression Nicole Heading to Georgia

Tropical Depression Nicole has moved inland with winds of 35 mph moving NW at 15 mph. Onshore winds along the gulf coast are expected to cause minor storm surge as High Tide approaches the Gulf coast in Citrus, Levy, Dixie, and Taylor Counties just after 2 AM Friday morning.

Redevelopment of showers & storms is still possible by early Friday morning through Noon even after Nicole races NE to the Carolinas.

7:15 p.m. Tropical Storm Nicole Hugging the Coast in Taylor County

Tropical Storm Nicole is circulating along the Taylor Co. coastline west of Perry with winds of 40 mph moving NW at 15 mph. Onshore winds along the gulf coast are expected to cause minor storm surge through the overnight hours in Citrus, Levy, Dixie, and Taylor Counties.

Another round of showers & storms is possible by early Friday morning as moisture wraps around the back side of Nicole as it pulls away.

4:10 p.m. Tropical Storm Nicole moves through Dixie County

Tropical Storm Nicole is just north of Horseshoe Beach in Dixie Co. with winds of 45 mph moving NW at 15 mph. Developing strong onshore winds along the gulf coast is expected to cause significant near-shore flooding through the evening and into the overnight in Citrus, Levy, Dixie and Taylor Counties.

Alachua County has closed its shelters.

3:55 p.m. Marion County boat ramp damaged by the storm

According to the parks and recreation department, the public boat ramp and docks at Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area are closed for repair until further notice due to damages sustained from Tropical Storm Nicole.

2:00 p.m. Two people killed in Orange County from downed power line

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement on the deaths of two people after Tropical Storm Nicole brought down a powerline:

“On November 10, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., deputies responded to the intersection of Bayfront Parkway and Pershing Avenue in reference to a man down call. When they arrived, deputies found a man who was unresponsive after he exited a vehicle and made contact with a downed live power line. That man was pronounced deceased on scene. A woman traveling with the man was also electrocuted and was transported to the hospital, where she died. We don’t anticipate further updates today.”

1:00 p.m. Nicole moving along the Gulf coast

Tropical Storm Nicole, as of the 1 pm update, is centered about 45 miles north of Tampa. As the storm moves NW along the Florida west coast, we can still expect strong, gusty winds & some heavy rain at times. Max winds for the storm have decreased to around 45 mph, and further weakening is expected this afternoon. Conditions will be slow to improve this evening and overnight.

12:45 p.m. Falling tree in Alachua County critically injures resident

Around noon, Alachua County Fire Rescue crews were called to three separate incidents of trees falling on homes.

Firefighters in the Fairbanks neighborhood worked to rescue a critically injured person trapped inside a home.

They also rescued two other people from their homes, a man on County Road 234 and a woman at a home on Southwest 75th street.

12:15 p.m. Trees and powerlines down on U.S. 27 in High Springs

**TRAFFIC ALERT | US-27 & NW 203rd Place | 11/10/22 1201PM

High Springs Fire Department is on-scene of a tree and wires down on US-27 near the bridge. Please use caution in the area.

11:45 a.m. Gov. DeSantis expands state of emergency to all Florida counties

As Tropical Storm Nicole moves through the state, the governor is issuing a state of emergency across the sunshine state. The governor’s office stated the following:

“The Florida Division of Emergency Management, working with the National Hurricane Center to evaluate weather predictions, has determined there is a continuing risk of dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, strong winds, hazardous seas, and isolated tornadic activity. Timely precautions are needed to restore the impacted communities, infrastructure, and the general welfare of Florida.”

10:45 a.m. DeSantis gives update on the storm

Gov. DeSantis warned of hazards including flooding, downed trees, and other debris from Tropical Storm Nicole as it moved across the state. The Governor says more than 330,000 electric customers are without power.

Thousands of linemen are on standby ready to restore power as soon as the storm clears.

10:00 a.m. Nicole nearing the Gulf coast

Tropical Storm Nicole, as of the 10 am update, is centered about 30 miles NE of Tampa. The storm is now moving to the WNW at around 16 mph. Max winds for the storm have decreased to around 50 mph, and further weakening is expected this afternoon. Across NCFL, we can continue to expect wind gusts over 40 mph along with periods of heavy rain today.

8:00 a.m. Nicole moving through Central Florida.

Tropical Storm Nicole, centered just SW of Orlando, continues to push to the WNW at 14 mph. Max winds have now decreased to near 60 mph with weakening expected as the circulation remains over land today. Across NCFL, we can continue to expect strong, gusty winds along with bands of heavy rain. Try to avoid travel as weather conditions will remain poor for much of the day.

6:30 a.m. Nicole is making its way through the state including North Central Florida

Nicole made landfall around 3 a.m. Thursday morning, and we have had team coverage throughout the morning covering the storm as it makes its way through the state

4:00 a.m. Nicole downgraded to a tropical storm.

Nicole is now centered in east central Florida about 60 miles southeast of Orlando. The storm, moving WNW at 14 mph, will move across central Florida this morning...then across NCFL later today. Max winds have decreased near 70 mph with weakening expected as the circulation continues to move over land today.

Sustained winds of 30-40 mph , with gusts over 50 mph are possible across NCFL, along with periods of heavy rain. A few tornadoes are also possible as rain bands on the north side of the storm move in from the east.

1:00 a.m. Nicole now 30mi. ESE of Ft. Pierce

Nicole is still expected to make landfall as a Cat 1 Hurricane overnight with 75 mph winds near Ft. Pierce on Florida’s southeast coast.

Nicole is forecast to travel through central Florida overnight into early Thursday morning. Heavy rain with tropical storm conditions are possible across NCFL with sustained winds of 30-35 and gusts over 50 mph at times with heavy rain bands as Nicole moves WNW Thursday morning and afternoon along or west of I-75 and US 19.

An increased threat of tornadoes is possible from I-75 to the E and NE through Thursday morning.

10:00 p.m. Nicole now 75mi. ENE of West Palm Beach

Nicole is projected to make landfall as a Cat 1 Hurricane just after midnight tonight with 75 mph winds near Ft. Pierce on Florida’s southeast coast.

Nicole is expected to cross central Florida overnight into early Thursday morning. Heavy rain with tropical storm conditions are possible across NCFL with sustained winds of 30-35 and gusts over 50 mph at times with heavy rain bands, Thursday morning and afternoon.

7:00 p.m. Nicole now 100 mi. east of West Palm Beach

Nicole is projected to make landfall as a Cat 1 Hurricane just after midnight tonight with 75 mph winds. The forecast track indicates

the storm will pass across central Florida overnight into early Thursday morning. Tropical storm conditions are likely all across NCFL with sustained winds of 30-35 and gusts over 50 mph during the morning and afternoon on Thursday.

The threat of tornadoes will also increase during the early morning hours of Thursday.

6:27 p.m. Nicole strengthens into hurricane

The Florida-bound storm strengthened to a hurricane on Wednesday hours before it is projected to make landfall.

RELATED: Hurricane Nicole forms; Florida awaits rare November storm

5:30 p.m. Alachua County opens general population shelters

The county has opened a general population, pet-friendly shelter at Eastside High School located at 1201 SE 43rd St.

Alachua County residents will also be welcome at the Ochwilla Elementary School shelter (also pet-friendly) located at 299 State Rd 21, Hawthorne.

Residents with pets are encouraged to bring basic pet supplies such as collars, leashes, crates, carriers, towels, blankets, pet medications, pet food, etc. Alachua County Animal Resources and Community Support Services staff will be on-site to encourage both people and animal safety.

4:30 p.m. Tropical Storm Nicole moves over The Bahamas

Tropical Storm Nicole moved over The Bahamas with wind speeds of 70 mph. The storm is headed towards the east coast of Florida.

The storm is expected to make landfall in the early morning hours. It will then move across the state and get pushed north during the day on Thursday.

4:01 p.m. Alachua County opens special needs shelter

In anticipation of the effects of the storm, Alachua County has opened a Special Needs Shelter at the Alachua County Senior Recreation Center at 5701 N.W. 34th Blvd., Gainesville.

Those needing more information about the special needs shelter should call 352-955-2575.

1:50 p.m. Marion County approves state of emergency

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners has approved a state of emergency declaration as Tropical Storm Nicole approaches the state. Dixie County is also under a local state of emergency.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has expanded his executive order issuing a state of emergency to include the North Central Florida counties of Alachua, Bradford, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, and Putnam.

12:30 p.m. Tropical Storm Nicole strengthens as it nears hurricane status

Nicole has gained strength as it moved near the Bahamas. More thunderstorms and showers are developing around the center of the storm. Max winds are reported at 70 mph.

The storm is headed west toward Florida’s east coast. It is expected to become a hurricane as it makes landfall overnight.

11:50 a.m. Florida airports close before storm hits

Some airports in Florida are shutting down due to the oncoming storm. Orlando International, Sanford International, and Melbourne Orlando International airports are closing.

Gainesville Regional Airport officials say some American Airlines flights have been canceled on Wednesday but a decision on closing the airport on Thursday has not been made. They say customers should check their flights for cancelations.

10:45 a.m. DeSantis gives update on Tropical Storm Nicole

Gov. Ron DeSantis gave an update on the storm as it approaches the state. He said evacuation orders are in effect for many counties in Central Florida and South Florida along the east coast. The evacuation orders are zone specific.

DeSantis says the state is prepared for the storm and the state has enough resources to respond. He says16,000 linemen are staged to begin power restoration after the storm. Floridians in the path of the storm should expect power outages according to the governor.

9:30 a.m. NCFL colleges and school districts announce closures

The University of Florida, Santa Fe College, and the College of Central Florida are all closing campus on Thursday in anticipation of the storm.

Alachua County and Marion County school districts have also announced closures on Thursday

RELATED: North Central Florida schools close as Nicole approaches

11:00 p.m. Tropical Storm Nicole Nearly a Hurricane

Nicole has increased winds to 70 mph, just 4 mph shy of hurricane strength. The storm is located about 325 miles east of West Palm Beach.

Nicole is still expected to approach the SE Florida coast early Thursday just after midnight as a Cat 1 Hurricane. Wind will begin to increase late Wednesday into Thursday across NCFL with gusts of 40-50 mph all day Thursday. The threat of tornadoes will also elevate early Thursday morning as Nicole approaches NCFL.

Stay tuned to WCJB TV20 for the latest on Nicole, and download the WCJB TV209 Weather App to track the storm at home or on the move. Just download the app from Google Play or Apple App Store today.

RELATED: North Central Florida schools close as Nicole approaches

Nicole is forecast to travel west through central Florida then turn northwest along I-75 Thursday afternoon and evening as it passes through NCFL as a large Tropical Storm.

Conditions should improve by early Friday.

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