ORLANDO, Fla. — Nicole is now a hurricane as it approaches Florida’s east coast.
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Read Nov. 9 updates below:
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11:37 p.m. update:
Channel 9′s Christopher Heath found a giant tree that fell down and blocked a road in Kissimmee as Hurricane Nicole approaches Florida.
See the video below:
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10 p.m. update:
Nicole is approaching the east coast of Florida, bringing strong winds, a dangerous storm surge and heavy rain, Channel 9 meteorologist George Waldenberger said.
The storm is approaching the east coast with 75 MPH winds.
Read the Spanish version of this update below:
El huracán Nicole se está acercando a la costa este de Florida, ya que ahora está a unas 75 millas de West Palm Beach.
El meteorólogo del WFTV, George Waldenberger, dijo que la tormenta está trayendo fuertes vientos, una peligrosa marea de tormenta y fuertes lluvias.
El huracán se acerca a la costa este con vientos de 75 MPH.
9:25 p.m. update:
As Hurricane Nicole inches closer to Florida, Volusia County has deemed several buildings structurally unsound. See the list here.
Read: Hurricane Nicole: These Volusia County buildings have been deemed structurally unsound
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8:55 p.m. update:
Walt Disney World officials said they are continuing to closely monitor Hurricane Nicole and are planning a phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and Disney Springs beginning at noon on Thursday.
8:10 p.m. update:
The eastbound lanes of the bridges (Dunlawton, ISB, Granada, Main Street and Seabreeze) in Daytona Beach are now closed due to Hurricane Nicole and will remain closed until the Florida Department of Transportation has inspected them and advised they are safe to reopen.
Officials said the westbound lanes remain open so people can leave.
8:07 p.m. update:
DoorDash will be suspending operations across Central Florida due to Hurricane Nicole. The company announced that it will stop taking orders in Orlando and surrounding areas starting Wednesday night at 9 p.m.
Read: Hurricane Nicole: Doordash will stop food delivery services
7:20 p.m. update:
As of 7 p.m., Hurricane Nicole is about 20 miles east northeast of Freeport Grand Bahama Island and 100 miles from West Palm Beach. It has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and is moving west at 13 mph.
See this update in Spanish below:
En estos momentos, el huracán Nicole se encuentra a unas 20 millas al este noreste de Freeport Grand Bahama Island y a 100 millas de West Palm Beach.Tiene vientos máximos sostenidos de 75 mph y se mueve hacia el oeste a 13 mph.
7:05 p.m. update:
New Smyrna Beach police have deemed The Las Brisas condo buildings, located at 3001 Hill St., facing the beach unsafe and are urging people to evacuate.
6 p.m. update:
Chief meteorologist Tom Terry said Nicole is now officially a Cat. 1 hurricane.
See this update in Spanish below:
Nicole se ha convertido en un huracán de categoría uno.
La velocidad de los vientos sigue aumentando.
5:55 p.m. update:
Law enforcement is dealing with emergency road construction in Seminole County on I-4 East at County Road-46A. The two left lanes are blocked after officials said they received a report of a sinkhole in the road. Officials said they are investigating whether it is a sinkhole or not.
4:30 p.m. update:
Tropical Storm Nicole is closer to strengthening into a hurricane as of the 4 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.
The system will likely make landfall as a hurricane after midnight south of Brevard County.
Read: Tropical Storm Nicole: Which Central Florida counties have issued curfews?
Chief meteorologist Tom Terry said huge waves, 5 feet of storm surge and wind gusts up to 80 mph are expected along the coast.
Gusts will near 70 mph in inland areas, Terry said.
Five to eight inches of rain will cause localized flooding in the area, and there will be a tornado threat overnight.
Read: Tropical Storm Nicole: Orlando residents, businesses asked to limit water usage
Watch him track the storm live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News by clicking here.
Download our free news and weather apps by clicking here so you can stay informed of the storm once your power goes out.
Read this storm update in Spanish below:
La tormenta tropical Nicole se acerca a tormas fuerzas de huracán mientras se aproxima a la costa este de la Florida.
Se espera que la tormenta tropical Nicole toque tierra en la centro de Florida después de la medianoche como huracán de categoría uno.
Tocará el sur del condado de Brevard, con planes de producir fuertes lluvias hasta el jueves.
Meteorólogo de WFTV, Tom Terry, dijo que se esperan vientos de 80 mph en la costa.
De cinco a ocho pulgadas de lluvia causarán inundaciones localizadas en la zona, y habrá una amenaza de tornado durante la noche.
El alcalde de Orlando, Buddy Dyer, ha declarado el estado de emergencia y varios condados están ahora bajo aviso de tormenta tropical.
El alcalde esta advertido a los residentes que se tomen en serio esta tormenta y que hagan los preparativos necesarios antes de las 6 de la tarde.
3:30 p.m. update:
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Major Jerry Demings have declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Nicole continues to strengthen.
They are urging residents to take this storm seriously and make necessary preparations by 6 p.m. as the storm is expected to make landfall by Wednesday night.
Shelters in Orange County are available at the South Econ Recreation Center or the West Orange Recreation Center.
Sandbag distribution locations are now closed.
They said Orange County Public Schools will remain closed now until Monday, Nov. 14.
Garbage pickups will also start again on Friday and Saturday.
2:20 p.m. update:
Volusia County officials said one of its beach-side bathroom facilities has already succumbed to the ocean as Tropical Storm Nicole nears.
More damage is likely due to existing damage from Hurricane Ian. Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Ian has weakened the infrastructure to such a degree that we don’t know what other building collapses could happen.
Tammy Malphurs with Ocean Rescue is urging people to stay away from the beach.
“One-hundred likes on social media is not worth dying for,” Malphurs said.
She said the waves are dangerous and people can easily be swept out into the ocean.
“Mother nature does not play nice and she does not play fair,” she said.
There is a curfew in the county that will go into effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Thursday.
1:50 p.m. update:
LEGOLAND is adjusting its hours on Thursday due to Tropical Storm Nicole. See the full list of changes below:
1:15 p.m. update:
SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will all be closed on Thursday.
See a full list of theme park closures here.
Read: Tropical Storm Nicole: Which theme parks are closed, which will remain open?
1:05 p.m. update:
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority announced on Tuesday that Orlando International Airport will cease all commercial operations today at 4 p.m.
12:55 p.m. update:
CFX will temporarily suspend cash toll collection to ensure the safety of toll collectors, starting Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 2:30 p.m. Officials anticipate cash toll collection to resume, Friday, Nov. 11, at 6 a.m. All drivers paying tolls with cash will be charged at the cash rate via toll invoice during this time.
Read: OIA to cease commercial operations in anticipation of Tropical Storm Nicole
12:27 p.m. update:
Nicole made landfall Wednesday morning on Great Abaco Island in the northwestern Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
12:25 p.m. update:
Universal Orlando Resort, including CityWalk, will close early on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 5 p.m. Theme park officials said hotels will remain operational. Officials said they anticipate a phased and delayed reopening on Thursday, Nov. 10, and will update once they assess conditions.
11:45 a.m. update:
Walt Disney World theme park officials announced that it will have a phased closure on Wednesday and into Thursday due to Tropical Storm Nicole. See details from park officials below:
- Walt Disney World Resort theme parks will have a phased closure today, Nov. 9, beginning at 5 p.m. and will remain closed through tomorrow morning, Nov. 10. Resort Guests are encouraged to enjoy food and beverage options at the theme parks prior to returning to their Disney Resort hotel. Theme parks will likely not reopen at their regularly scheduled time tomorrow, Nov. 10.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Closing today, Nov. 9, at 5 p.m. with last dining reservations at 5 p.m.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Closing today, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. with last dining reservations at 6 p.m.
- Magic Kingdom Park: Closing today, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. Last dining reservations for Be Our Guest, Liberty Tree Tavern, Diamond Horseshoe and Cinderella’s Royal Table will be at 6 p.m., and last dining for all other dining reservations will be at 6:30 p.m.
- EPCOT: Closing today, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. Last dining reservations for Monsieur Paul, Space 220 Restaurant, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Garden Grill Restaurant will be at 6 p.m., and last dining for all other dining reservations will be at 6:30 p.m.
Extended evening theme park hours at Magic Kingdom will be canceled today, Nov. 9, and nighttime spectaculars will be canceled today, Nov. 9, including Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom Park, Harmonious at EPCOT, and Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can read more here.
11:35 a.m. update:
With water in Orlando’s lakes, wastewater systems and grounds still high from Hurricane Ian, the city is encouraging residents and businesses to limit water usage before and during Tropical Storm Nicole whenever possible, including:
- Limit the amount of toilet flushing.
- Abstain from running dishwashers and washing machines.
- Limit the amount of water used during a shower or the amount to fill the bathtub.
- Turn off irrigation.
- Abstain from pressure washing, car washing, or any other outdoor use of water that is not necessary.
11:20 a.m. update:
Seminole County has issued voluntary evacuations ahead of Tropical Storm Nicole for people who live in manufactured homes, mobile homes, homes in low-lying areas and people with special needs who may need care during the storm.
Emergency management director Alan Harris said those who need to utilize one of the county’s storm shelters are asked to bring food, medications and cots or sleeping bags.
Anyone with debris they want to get rid of before the storm can drop off debris for free at the landfill until 3 p.m. Officials said residential trash pick up with end at 3 p.m. Tuesday, so people are asked to bring their cans in before then.
Sheriff Dennis Lemma said he’s upping patrols in areas that are likely to have evacuated and will be on hand at the storm shelters.
11:05 a.m. update:
Channel 9 meteorologist Brian Shields is asking people in Central Florida to be sheltered in place by 5 p.m.
Power outages are being reported, and trees and tree branches could fall in Nicole’s winds Wednesday afternoon.
After the sun goes down, conditions will be deteriorating quickly.
Some structures along the coast are already falling into the water.
10:55 a.m. update:
Gov. Ron DeSantis urged Floridians to prepare for Tropical Storm Nicole Wednesday morning.
DeSantis said residents who have been asked to evacuate should do so, even if it only means traveling into the interior of the state away from the coast.
He said 16,000 lineman are staged ready to respond to power outages from the storm.
10:40 a.m. update:
Seminole County opened two shelters at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. Both shelters are pet friendly:
General population shelter: Lawton Chiles Middle School, 1240 Sanctuary Drive.
Special needs shelter: Bentley Elementary School, 2190 S. Oregon Ave.
10:13 a.m. update:
Officials in Flagler County said a section of A1A is shut down.
Officials said A1A is closed from 7th Street to 16th Street due to debris on the roadway.
Drivers are asked to seek alternative routes in the area.
9:45 a.m. update:
The latest computer models have Nicole making landfall south of Brevard County near Stuart and Fort Pierce.
Despite landfall possible south of Central Florida winds are still a concern.
Nicole is forecast to have tropical storm-force winds extending more than 300 miles from its center of rotation.
Officials are warning people to stay off of the beaches and to not enter the water under any circumstances.
9 a.m. update:
Channel 9 crews are seeing storm damage in Volusia County washing into the ocean.
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A large wall and other parts of a damaged building are tumbling into the ocean as waves from Tropical Storm Nicole continue to hit the coast.
Parts of Volusia County will be under evacuation starting at 10 a.m.
8 a.m. update:
Osceola County officials are reminding residents that a sandbag site at Osceola Heritage Park will be open Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon.
Residents are limited to 25 bags per household and will need to bring their own shovels.
>>> Read more on sandbag locations around Central Florida <<<
7 a.m. update:
The National Weather Service in Melbourne said Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to continue strengthening as it approaches Florida.
Officials are forecasting that Nicole will make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane later Wednesday night along Florida’s Treasure Coast.
WFTV has live continuing coverage of Nicole on TV 27 starting at 7 a.m.
6 a.m. update:
Brevard County officials are reminding residents on the barrier islands are under a recommended evacuation starting at 7 a.m.
Officials are encouraging evacuating residents to stay with friends or family, hotels if you have the means, or use one of the counties public shelters.
5 a.m. update:
As Tropical Storm Nicole approaches Florida, some local school districts are making schedule changes.
<<< See a full list of school closures in Central Florida >>>
4 a.m. update:
Tropical Storm Nicole continues to gain strength as it moves closer to Florida’s east coast.
Nicole is approaching Great Abaco in the northwestern Bahamas.
Tropical storm warnings have been extended to the west coast of Florida.
The National Hurricane Center said tropical storm warnings have also been issued for parts of Georgia and the coast of South Carolina.
2 a.m. update:
Central Florida’s theme parks are gearing up for Tropical Storm Nicole.
Some attractions and resorts are changing their operational hours this week as the storm’s impact remains uncertain.
See a breakdown of updates to Florida theme parks by clicking here.
1 a.m. update:
Nicole is now less than 300 miles off the East Florida coast, and still close to hurricane strength.
Tropical storm conditions are beginning to spread into portions of the east coast of Florida.
READ: Tropical Storm Nicole: Which theme parks are closed, which will remain open?
Nicole is expected to become a hurricane soon, and remain hurricane strength then through landfall Wednesday overnight into Thursday morning. Landfall likely would be between Brevard County and West Palm Beach.
For the next two days, high surf and coastal erosion threats will increase at our beaches. Showers will become more numerous through Thursday. Winds will build through Thursday, when power outages will tally up. The flooding threat will increase through the day Thursday.
12 a.m. update:
Tropical Storm Nicole continues to gain strength as its track aims toward Florida’s east coast.
Nicole is now very near hurricane strength with maximum sustained winds near 70 miles per hour and about 325 miles east of West Palm Beach.
Nicole is strengthening despite dry air making its way into the circulation. Eyewitness News photographer Zack Schwartz was on board the hurricane hunter as they made three passes into the storm Tuesday tonight, with each pass noticing an eye developing.
READ: Hurricane Safety: What are hurricane categories and what do they mean?
Nicole is still forecast to make landfall as a category 1 hurricane on the east Florida coast overnight Wednesday.
A dangerous storm surge is expected along much of Florida’s east coast and parts of coastal Georgia where storm surge warnings are already in effect.
The National Weather Service is advising residents in the storm’s path to follow the advice given by local officials.
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