Brunt of Tropical Storm Nicole’s impact is shifting toward North Carolina’s mountains

The core of Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to shift farther west than initially expected, heightening the threat of damaging wind and flooding in North Carolina’s mountains, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Up to half a foot of rain could fall in some mountain communities, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph, forecasters say.

The storm’s heavy winds are expected to reach North Carolina around 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, followed by bands of rain through Friday, forecasters say. A threat of tornadoes is also in the forecast through Friday morning.

“The heaviest rainfall is still expected across the mountains where widespread amounts of 2-4 (inches) are expected. Locally higher totals of 4-6 (inches) are possible across the Blue Ridge Escarpment, especially along southeast facing slopes,” N.C. Emergency Management reports.

“A Flood Watch is in effect for much of the NC mountains from Thursday evening through late Friday night. Flash flooding is possible as periods of heavy rainfall moves through the region. With heavy rainfall, a localized danger of landslides may develop in areas of steep terrain.”

Southeasterly winds of 15 to 25 mph will prevail as the storm crosses the state, with 40 mph gusts. However, higher elevations could see gusts near 50 mph, the National Weather Service reports.

Tropical Storm Nicole briefly reached Category One hurricane status overnight, when its sustained winds hit 75 mph, the National Hurricane Center reported.

It made landfall near Vero Beach, Florida, early Thursday, and sustained winds later fell to 70 mph, forecasters say. Vero Beach is about 140 miles north of Miami.

The storm’s sustained winds were at 45 mph late Thursday, as it moved north at about 15 mph, forecasters say.

“A turn toward the northwest and north-northwest is expected later today (Thursday) and tonight, followed by an acceleration toward the north and north-northeast on Friday,” the National Hurricane Center says.

“The center of Nicole will move across central Florida (Thursday) morning, possibly emerge over the far northeastern Gulf of Mexico this afternoon, and then moving across the Florida Panhandle and Georgia tonight and on Friday.”

This story was originally published November 10, 2022 at 7:24 AM.