According to weather.com, Nicole made its first landfall in the northwest Bahamas just before noon Wednesday with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.
The large wind field of Nicole means tropical-storm-force winds (39 mph or greater) extend well to the west, north, and east of that center, including into Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center analysis below.
Wind gusts over 40 mph have been occurring along and near Florida's Atlantic coast. A few gusts over 50 mph have been reported at times.
NNicole strengthened into a hurricane Wednesday evening while making landfall over Grand Bahama.
Both the City of Apopka and Orange County have announced closures and revised schedules during Hurricane Nicole's approach:
The State of the City, delivered by Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson and hosted by the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce, was originally scheduled for Thursday (November 10th), but was postponed until November 25th. It has now been rescheduled for Friday, November 18th, at 8 am at the Apopka Community Center/VFW.
At 3 p.m. today, Orange County Government is still in a Tropical Storm Warning. Tropical Storm Nicole is estimated to produce damaging winds and approximately 4-6 inches of rain. Additional effects include:
Orange County Government buildings closed at 3 p.m. today and are scheduled to reopen on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
Emergency Shelters
Orange County Government has two general population shelters open for individuals needing to evacuate or seek shelter from Tropical Storm Nicole. Shelter locations include:
Orange County residents who require a Special Needs/Medical Shelter, please dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111. ID cards are not required to enter shelters. Individuals should come prepared with their own supplies and personal hygiene items. For more information on what to bring with you to a shelter, visit ocfl.net/shelters.
Orange County Utilities
Below are service updates from Orange County Utilities. Additional updates will be announced on ocfl.net/UtilitiesStormInfo.
Debris Pick Up and Road Assessment
Orange County Public Works plans to resume debris removal and emergency roadway clearance activities on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
Public Works Road and Drainage workers are stationing crews on roads where flooding has been a problem in the past – Texas and Holden, Lake Eleanor, and Rouse and Buck Roads. This is being done as a precaution. Public Works teams will begin assessing roadways as soon as winds subside.
Power Outages
When possible, report power outages to your electric provider in Orange County.
For more preparedness and recovery information, visit ocfl.net/storm.
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