Tropical storm watch, local state of emergency issued in Bradenton for Nicole
Bradenton is now under a tropical storm warning. Find the latest forecast from Wednesday here.
Several counties along Florida’s west coast are now under a tropical storm watch, including Manatee, Sarasota and Lee, as Tropical Storm Nicole prepares to make landfall as a potential Category 1 hurricane, the National Weather Service said Tuesday morning.
Manatee County declared a local state of emergency on Tuesday night.
“It’s important for the public to monitor the storm and prepare for the effects of tropical storm-force winds in the area,” said Steve Litschauer, Public Safety Deputy Director and Chief of Emergency Management.
Forecasters predict that Nicole will be a large storm, bringing hurricane conditions to southeast and east-central Florida on Wednesday. A hurricane watch is in effect in those areas.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Nicole Carlisle told the Bradenton Herald on Tuesday that the storm will not pose a major threat to people in the Bradenton area and will resemble thunderstorms that have passed through the area all summer.
She said that residents should expect to see pockets of heavy rain here and there.
“It’ll almost be like our summertime thunderstorms, except for a long period of time,” she said. “Instead of rain and wind gusts lasting half an hour, it could last up to 12 hours.”
Apart from a few possible power outages and the possibility of a few inches of rain, she said that forecasters do not expect this storm to have any major impacts on Manatee County.
Nicole is expected to bring heavy rain and strong gusts to the entire state on Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday is when the Bradenton area will likely experience its highest rain chance.
According to the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory, a dangerous storm surge is likely for the east coast of Florida and parts of coastal Georgia.
A state of emergency was announced Monday for Manatee, Sarasota, and 32 additional Florida counties, giving state and local agencies extra flexibility in preparing for hurricane impacts.
No school closures
As of Tuesday afternoon, there were no plans to close schools this week because of the storm, the Manatee County School District said in an update.
However, all extra-curricular activities will be canceled until further notice at 5 p.m. Wednesday, with the exception of extended day programs.
All schools and district offices are closed Friday for the Veterans Day holiday.
Sarasota County Schools also plan to stay open Wednesday and cease extra-curricular activities at 5 p.m.
Both school districts said they will alert students and parents on Wednesday if conditions change.
Tropical Storm Watch details
WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 20-30 mph with gusts to 35 mph
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39-57 mph
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.
STORM SURGE
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Localized storm surge possible
- Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 1-3 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas
- Window of concern: Begins this evening
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for storm surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.
FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Peak Rainfall Amounts: 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS:
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow.
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Tornadoes not expected
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None
Bradenton’s weather forecast
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Windy, with a north northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Breezy, with a north northeast wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Windy, with a north northeast wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.
Wednesday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday:Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 78. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night :Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Breezy, with a southwest wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Herald reporter Jessica De Leon contributed to this report.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 10:51 AM.
