Tropical storm warning issued in Bradenton, Southwest Florida for Nicole. What to expect
Find the latest forecast and updates for Thursday here.
Weather advisories were upgraded to a tropical storm warning for the Bradenton area and all of Southwest Florida on Wednesday morning as Nicole is expected to become a hurricane.
On Wednesday, the Manatee County Government declared a local state of emergency.
Bradenton officials followed by declaring a local state of emergency Wednesday morning.
“We need to be prepared and that’s what we’re going to do,” said City Administrator Rob Perry, who explained that storm impacts are expected to begin late Wednesday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis previously declared states of emergency for 34 counties, including Manatee and Sarasota.
“Obviously, we’re prepared if something happens,” Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown said.
Palmetto followed suit with a declaration of emergency on Wednesday afternoon.
The declarations of a local emergency allow local government staff to carry out any necessary emergency operations during the storm.
“It’s important for the public to monitor the storm and prepare for the effects of tropical-storm-force winds in the area,” Manatee County Public Safety Deputy Director and Chief of Emergency Management Steve Litschauer said in a statement.
All Manatee and Sarasota County schools and support locations, including Manatee Technical College, will be closed on Thursday because of the storm.
As Nicole is expected to reach hurricane strength Wednesday before landfall on the southeast coast of Florida early Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said.
After landfall, the storm is expected to move northwest across the peninsula toward the Tampa Bay area before a cold front pushes it back northeast toward Georgia.
“Do not focus on the exact track of Nicole since it is expected to be a large storm with hazards extending well north of the center, outside of the forecast zone,” the Hurricane Center warned. Most of Florida is likely to see some weather effects.
National Weather Service meteorologist Ross Giarratana told the Bradenton Herald on Wednesday morning that while the storm will likely make landfall as a hurricane, it will likely weaken as it moves further towards the west coast.
“There’s a pretty good potential for a large part of our area to see strong tropical storm force winds,” NWS of Tampa Bay meteorologist Austen Flannery said in an afternoon update. “They might be as gusts more than anything else.”
Some wind damage and scattered power outages are possible, NWS forecasters added. The Tampa Bay area, Bradenton and Sarasota are predicted to see 1 to 3 feet of storm surge.
What to expect in Bradenton
Rain showers are already scattered across most of Florida, and rain chances increase through the day and overnight.
Peak winds of up to 45 mph are expected around 5 a.m. Thursday.
Rain chances are highest morning Thursday morning through the early evening, and a total of 1 to 3 inches is forecast with some areas seeing higher amounts.
One to 3 feet of storm surge is possible. Tornadoes are not likely.
The latest forecast is good news for the Bradenton area, Perry explained. Tide levels are about 3 to 4 feet below normal and the most dangerous storm surge from Nicole is expected north of Tampa Bay.
“Be safe, everybody,” Bradenton Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey warned.
Shelter opens
Manatee County is opening a pet-friendly “Safe Haven” shelter at Freedom Elementary, 9515 FL-64, beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
It is open for those residents who wish to evacuate, especially those whose homes could be compromised due to damage from Hurricane Ian and for residents of mobile or manufactured homes.
Pet shelter requirements:
- Pet(s) must arrive with a carrier or cage. Cages will not be available on site.
- Pet(s) must remain in carrier (except at scheduled exercise times).
- Owners must provide pet food and other pet supplies, as needed.
- Owners must provide certification that pet(s) are current with rabies vaccination.
- Owners will not permit other shelter occupants to handle or approach pet(s).
- Owners are responsible for the care, feeding and handling of their own pet(s).
— Manatee County
Traffic warnings
A high wind advisory is in effect on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
FDOT is urging all drivers to use caution when driving over the bridge.
This story was originally published November 9, 2022 at 9:45 AM.
