Live Hurricane Nicole updates: What to know about storm's impact on Indian River County (2024)

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Live weather updates: What to expect Wednesday from Tropical Storm Nicole on the Treasure Coast

Indian River Countyofficials and residents have preparedall week for the arrival of Hurricane Nicole, which is expected to make landfall along Florida's East Coast Wednesday or Thursday.

Sustained tropical-storm-force winds of 40 mph or greater are likely to reach Indian River County and the Treasure Coast as early as Wednesday night, according to AccuWeather.

A hurricane warning was issued from Boca Raton to the Flagler/Volusia County line.

Here's what you need to know Wednesday about Tropical StormNicole for Indian River County:

10:25p.m.| More residents losepower as storm nears

Florida Power & Light Co. reported 840 out of its 99,710 customers had lost power in Indian River County, according to its outage map, which was last updated 9p.m.

Indian River County emergency officials will hold a press conference 10 a.m. Thursday to address power restoration and Hurricane Nicole's impact, according to county spokesperson Kathy Copeland.

The conference will be livestreamed on Indian River County Sheriff's Office Facebook page and the county YouTube channel.

8:45p.m.| Power outages

Florida Power & Light Co. reported 570 out of its 99,710customershad lost power in Indian River County, according to its outage map, which was last updated 7 p.m.

7:11 p.m.| Bridges still open

Bridges are still open, the Indian River County Emergency Operations Center reported Wednesday evening. But winds are picking up speed.

As of 7 p.m., there were 30 mph sustained winds in the area, emergency officialsreported. At sustained winds of 45 mph or higher, bridges will have to be closed temporarily until it is safe to cross, Sheriff Eric Flowers said Wednesday.

As the storm nears, emergency officials are urging residents to hunker down and stay off the roads through the night.

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6:25p.m.| Hurricane Nicole nears

Tropical StormNicole was upgraded to Hurricane Nicole 6 p.m. Wednesday.It's forecast to make landfall here early Thursday as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 75 mph.

Heavy wind and rain battered Vero Beach and Sebastian as the storm neared the Treasure Coast.

4:02 p.m.| Feeling the wind

In Sebastian by Riverview Park, people are photographing the waves from the river. Wind gusts are measuring up to 22 mph.

“I’m just coming out her like any crazy Floridian,” said Tina Varela. “(It’s a) nice breeze.”

Varela said she is a little concerned about the storm because of its arrival in November and the wind. “I put my shutters up, just for my own anxiety.”

2:30 p.m.| Incoming storm surge, broken boardwalk

Even at low tide Wednesday afternoon, Sheriff Eric Flowers said coastal areas are experiencing storm surge.

"We are seeing roadways very close to being impassable," Flowers said at a 2:30 p.m. news conference. "Between the storm surge and high tide coming in later, we're going to have some real issues."

Storm surge along Ocean Drive has forced the City of Vero Beach to block parts of it off, County Administrator Jason Brown said. Part of the Conn Beach Boardwalk on Ocean Drive was broken off due to the storm.

The storm surge is expected to get worse around 8 p.m. as high tide rolls in.

"The storm surge is aggravated during high tides," Brown said. "With that high tide coming a little after 8 p.m. tonight, we anticipate that storm surge and wave actionwill continue to aggravate the beaches and provide more erosion."

County emergency officials are urging residents to hunker down and stay off the roads through the night.

As of 3:35 p.m., no bridges had yet been closed due to high winds, county spokesperson Kathy Copeland said.

1:38 p.m.| Need a pickleball court?

12:30 p.m.| Barricading the boardwalk

Sexton Plaza on Ocean Drive was jammed with visitors and residents getting a peek of the ocean before Nicole’s arrival.

“We wanted to see what the ocean was like,” said Rafael Viamontes, who brought his four children to Sexton Plaza. “I think it’s going to be bad if it’s like this already.”

12:06| Filling up ... just in case

While some Indian River County residents spent time Wednesday morning putting up shutters and plywood, others were filling up gas cans.

Jose and Sue Morales, of Winter Beach, filled up gas cans for their generator in case they lose electricity, and topped off the tank of their truck.

“This is old stuff for me. I was born and raised here,” said Sue Morales, 71. “All you can do is pray for the best.”

The Moraleses planned to ride out Nicole at home. They feel confident staying here rather than evacuating. The home, built in the 1930s, has been through other storms, Sue Morales she said.

11:47 a.m.| Lagoon water levels rising

11:30 a.m.| Publix closings

Publix stores in Indian River County, and across the Treasure Coast, will closeearlytoday in preparation for Tropical Storm Nicole.

Indian River and St. Lucie County residents will have until noon to do final shopping before they close for the rest of the day. St. Lucie stores plan to reopen at 7 a.m. Thursday, and Indian River plans to reopen at 9 .m.Thursday.

Martin County shoppers will have until 2 p.m. today to pick up last-minute items before the stores there closeearly with plans to reopen at 7 a.m. Thursday.

Hours may be adjusted and the status of individual stores may vary in accordance with the track and impact of the tropical storm, according to Lindsey Willis, Publix media relations manager.

10:27 a.m.| A time for gawkers

Wabasso Beach Park is closed, but many people are walking around the barricades to check out the beach.

The wind has started to pick up a little, with some stronger gusts.Skies are overcast, with periodic drizzles.

"I like to see a tumultuous ocean," said Wabasso Beach resident Laura Jennings, who walked to the beach to check out the ocean conditions and sand dunes.

10 a.m.| Evacuations continue

Voluntary evacuations went into effect beginning this morning for certain areas of the county and for specific groups of residents:

• Areas east of U.S 1,including the barrier Islands
• Low-lying, flood-prone areas
• Residents with mobile homes or other vulnerable housing
• Persons with special medical needs

The county's Citizen Information Line will be staffed 24 hours around the clock for the duration of the storm. Forquestions and concerns, call 772-226-4000.

7 a.m. |Nicole strengthens

Tropical Storm Nicolegrew even stronger overnight, with sustained windsat 70 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center's 7 a.m. advisory.

The storm's center is forecast to make landfall along the Treasure Coast tonight as a Category 1 hurricane, with winds of 75 mph.

The Hurricane Center warnsresidents to not focus on the exact track because Nicole isa large storm.Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 460 miles,especially to the north of the center and outside of the forecast cone.

Here is the latest data:

• Location:291 miles east of Port St. Lucie
• Maximumsustained winds:70mph
• Movement:west-southwest at 13 mph
• Pressure:986MB (millibars)
• Next advisory:10a.m.

Links to more storm information:

Spaghetti models: Check out these automatic updates of Nicole's possible path

Forecast track: Nicole's latest path

Excessive rainfall forecast: Rainfall expectations

Be ready: How to download TCPalm's iPhone, Android apps for local updates onNicole

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