Hurricane Nicole Now a Category 1 Storm, Here's Its Path to Florida

Hurricane Nicole, which has now been upgraded from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane, is anticipated to reach Florida overnight, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Nicole reached hurricane status as it made landfall in the Bahamas, the NHC reported in an update Wednesday evening, with speeds up to 75 mph.

The NHC predicts the storm to hit the eastern coast of the Sunshine State overnight into Thursday morning. Nicole is then predicted to move through the peninsula and head north toward Georgia and the Carolinas. According to a chart posted on Twitter by the Weather Channel, the storm will reach southern Georgia sometime early Friday.

The storm is then expected to weaken again as it reaches central Florida, the NHC wrote in its 4 p.m. update Wednesday.

Residents along the coast of Florida and Georgia have been warned to be aware of dangerous storm surges as Nicole moves inland, the NHC said, and are encouraged to listen to local officials' directions.

Several Florida counties issued mandatory evacuations yesterday for residents who live along the peninsula's eastern coast or reside in low-lying areas. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) also posted a release on Wednesday that the state had 16,000 linemen on call to respond to power outages caused by the storm.

Governor Ron DeSantis said in a briefing Wednesday morning that the state is prepared for Nicole's impact to "stretch far beyond the center track."

"Winds are the main concern with Nicole, but we also expect to see some heavy rains, the potential for flash flooding, and three-to-five feet surge in some areas," he said.

DeSantis added that areas which suffered flooding and erosion due to Hurricane Ian in September could be especially susceptible to beach erosion.

FDEM director Kevin Guthrie also addressed Floridians in the briefing and said that he urges residents to "stay indoors in a safe structure and away from the coastline."

"There may become a time during and after the storm that local governments cannot immediately send first responders into harms way to assist you," Guthrie added. "Therefore, make sure that you have everything you may need and stay as safe as you possibly can."

Several school districts were closed Wednesday and Thursday in preparation of Hurricane Nicole as well, reports the Florida Department of Education, with some districts shut down until next week.

The FDEM wrote in its release that several Florida airports were also suspending operations starting Wednesday afternoon, including the international airports in Orlando and Daytona Beach, Florida.

Newsweek reached out to the Salvation Army of Florida for updates on storm preparations heading into Wednesday night.

Update 11/09/22, 7:34 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional background and information.