TAMPA, Fla. — Tropical Storm warnings, storm surge warnings, and flash flood watches were all up for the Tampa Bay area as Tropical Storm Nicole moved through Florida. The latest news and updates about how the Tampa Bay area was preparing ahead of the storm can be found below:
TROPICAL STORM NICOLE RESOURCES
Friday, Nov. 11
4:00 a.m.
The National Hurricane Center said Nicole has officially been downgraded into a tropical depression.
Thursday, Nov. 10
4:00 p.m.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge reopens to traffic.
2:10 p.m.
As of 2 p.m. Thursday, the City of Tampa announced it is responding to the following infrastructure issues from Tropical Storm Nicole:
- 16 downed trees
- 14 downed power lines
- 10 traffic signals out of service
2:03 p.m.
Hillsborough County closes emergency storm shelter at Erwin Technical College
1:10 p.m.
Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) confirmed two people are dead Thursday morning after beingelectrocuted by a downed power line from Tropical Storm Nicole.
12:54 p.m.
Due to Tropical Storm Nicole, Hillsborough County's Consumer & Veterans Services department and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County have cancelled the 58th Annual Veterans Day Tribute.
— Hillsborough County (@HillsboroughFL) November 10, 2022
Details: https://t.co/djtzjIIqRZ pic.twitter.com/urFHFpc6gB
12:22 p.m.
Hardee County announced that they are closing shelters to allow schools to resume normal operations on Friday, Nov. 11. They are also reopening Hardee Lakes Park on Friday, Nov. 11 and Pioneer Park on Monday, Nov. 14.
12:16 p.m.
Tropical Storm Nicole ripped through St. Augustine on Thursday. Courtesy of WJXT.
12:15 p.m.
Reporter Katie LaGrone gives an update from Hudson Beach.
12:09 p.m.
The Pinellas County Transit Authority (PSTA) announced that they're resuming service on the Suncoast Beach Trolley. All other PSTA routes are also currently open.
11:45 a.m.
Mayor Jane Castor and City of Tampa officials hold a press conference to discuss Tropical Storm Nicole
11:32 a.m.
Reporter Katie LaGrone speaks to a restaurant owner in Pasco County who is staying open during the storm.
11:30 a.m.
Meteorologists Greg Dee and Jason Adams issue an update about Tropical Storm Nicole's track.
11:08 a.m.
Roads during Tropical Storm Nicole in Pasco County, courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
10:54 a.m.
A Racetrac gas station in Port Richey experiences power outages, and gas pumps are down.
10:45 a.m.
Governor Ron DeSantis is holding a press conference on Tropical Storm Nicole as it continues to move across Florida.
10:37 a.m.
Storm damage in Port Richey.
10:45 a.m.
Reporter Stassy Olmos checks in to give an update on Dade City.
10:08 a.m.
Lake Tarpon during the storm. Courtesy of Gail McConnell.
10:00 a.m.
The view on Hudson Beach.
9:55 a.m.
Walt Disney World Resort theme parks will reopen in a phased approach beginning at 12:00 p.m. Thursday.
- Magic Kingdom Park: Noon to 6:00 p.m. (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is scheduled for 7:00 PM to midnight.)
- EPCOT: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Fantasmic! will not be presented on Thursday, November 10.)
9:45 a.m.
Reporter Jada Williams surveys the weather in Homosassa.
9:39 a.m.
Reporter Mary O'Connell gives an update on the conditions in Apollo Beach.
9:32 a.m.
Reporter Wendi Lane checks in live from Treasure Island Beach.
9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. radar update | Nicole is chugging along with the center moving through Pasco Co right now. We continue to receive numerous 50+ mph wind gusts. 1-3" of rain is expected now through noon for our coastal counties with a limited flood risk. pic.twitter.com/r72Z0ofEdp
— Jason Adams (@JasonAdamsWFTS) November 10, 2022
9:28 a.m.
Reporter Wendi Lane captures video in Treasure Island.
9:27 a.m.
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) suspends service of the Suncoast Beach Trolley until further notice.
9:15 a.m.
Meteorologist Greg Dee issues an update on the movements of Tropical Storm Nicole.
8:40 a.m.
Hudson Beach sees big wind gusts as the storm passes over.
8:36 a.m.
Reporter Sophia Hernandez gives an update in Juno Beach as storm conditions start to subside.
8:34 a.m.
Reporter Erik Waxler looks at weather conditions in Wesley Chapel.
8:31 a.m.
A look at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge during the storm.
8:13 a.m.
Drivers on the Courtney Campbell Causeway use extra caution.
8:11 a.m.
The Clearwater Police Department announced that their front lobby, records section, and other police offices will be closed until at least 12 p.m.
7:55 a.m.
Reporter Wendi Lane captures a drive through St. Petersburg on Tyrone Boulevard.
7:39 a.m.
Reporter Michael Paluska shows how conditions are beginning to calm in Winter Haven.
7:34 a.m.
Reporter Keely McCormick discusses weather conditions in Hillsborough County.
6:50 a.m.
The Skyway Bridge has closed due to winds of 50 MPH.
6:45 a.m.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) announced that around 17% of their flights are canceled, and 14% are delayed. They stated that they are expecting an increase in those cancellations and delays as the morning goes on.
6:44 a.m.
Reporter Stassy Olmos monitors weather conditions in Pasco County.
6:42 a.m.
Reporter Larissa Scott gives an update on the weather in Highlands County.
6:39 a.m.
Reporter Rebecca Petit shows the progressing weather conditions in Polk County.
6:34 a.m.
Duke announced that about 54,000 customers are without power, including 5,000 customers affected in Pinellas. For more info on power outages, click here.
5:56 a.m.
Reporter Michael Paluska shows off the weather conditions in Winter Haven.
5:53 a.m.
Reporter Larissa Scott gives an update on Highlands County.
5:45 a.m.
125,689 customers are experiencing power outages across the state of Florida.
Brevard County on the east coast is currently experiencing the highest volume of outages at 53,810.
For more info on power outages, click here.
5:23 a.m.
Reporter Sophia Hernandez monitors the wind and storm conditions on Juno Beach.
5:20 a.m.
Reporter Stassy Olmos gives an update in Dade City.
5:13 a.m.
Reporter Larissa Scott is live in Highlands County to show storm conditions.
5:05 a.m.
Reporter Rebecca Petit gives an update on conditions in Lakeland.
4:04 a.m.
Nicole has officially been downgraded into a tropical storm after making landfall near Vero Beach, according to the NHC.
3:32 a.m.
GoPasco suspended all rides on Thursday, Nov. 10, and will resume operations on Friday, Nov. 11.
Wednesday, Nov. 9
11 p.m.
Reporter Julie Salomone is in Wachula, where residents are bracing for Nicole while still recovering from Hurricane Ian.
Reporter Rochelle Alleyne is in Sebring reporting on conditions before Hurricane Nicole.
8 p.m.
The City of Tampa is suspending garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection on Thursday, Nov. 10 due to Hurricane Nicole. Residents should secure all containers in preparation for the storm. Services will resume Monday, Nov. 14.
6:56 p.m.
HART announced it will suspend all bus, van, and streetcar services on Thursday, Nov. 10. The plan is to resume normal operations on Friday, Nov. 11, following the assessment of storm impacts on the HART system.
6 p.m.
The National Hurricane Center said Nicole became a hurricane as it made landfall on Grand Bahama Island.
5:26 p.m.
All Pasco County Department of Health offices and clinics will be closed Thursday for Tropical Storm Nicole and Friday in observance of Veteran's Day. Clinics and offices will reopen Monday.
5:11 p.m.
Bay Pines VA announced it was closing select locations ahead of Tropical Storm Nicole.
- Sebring VA clinic is currently closed through Thursday
- C.W.Y. VA Medical Center and all other outlying clinics except Naples VA clinic, will be closed Thursday
- St. Petersburg Regional Office will be closed for face-to-face appointments. Virtual appointments still available
- Bay Pines National Cemetery visitations will resume Friday and burials will resume Saturday
4:45 p.m.
WestShore Plaza said it will open at 12 p.m. on Thursday due to Tropical Storm Nicole.
3:40 p.m.
SeaWorld Orlando will be closing Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. and will remain closed Thursday, Nov. 10.
Guests with tickets for SeaWorld Orlando Thursday, Nov. 10 may use them on any operating day through Dec. 31, 2022.
2:34 p.m.
Due to possible impacts from Tropical Storm Nicole, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System shifted the date of its annual Veteran's Day Ceremony to Sunday, November 13.
2:15 p.m.
Waste Management said it is suspending collection services in Hillsborough County on Thursday. The company will suspend collection for unincorporated Manatee County on Thursday as well.
2:06 p.m.
Bok Tower Gardens announced it will be closed on Thursday, November 10. Re-opening information will be determined after the storm has passed, pending an assessment of any storm-related damage.
1:10 p.m.
Governor Ron DeSantis expanded the state of emergency to 11 additional counties, including Alachua, Bradford, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hernando, Jefferson, Levy, Marion, Pinellas, Taylor, and Wakulla.
1:07 p.m.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 10.
1:06 p.m.
All Hillsborough County offices and facilities will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 10 for the safety of the staff and the public.
12:57 p.m.
Due to the current forecast and potential impact of Tropical Storm Nicole, all courthouse facilities of the Thirteenth Judicial Court will be closed Thursday, November 10th. Court closure was previously scheduled for Friday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day.
First Appearances, Detention and Shelter Hearings will proceed utilizing our weekend/holiday schedule. Shelters and Detentions will occur at 10 am and First Appearance Court at 11 am.
12:38 p.m.
For Tropical Storm Nicole and the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, the Reversible Express Lanes will be turned eastbound at 1 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, and remain in this configuration through 6 am on Monday, November 14, when normal hours of operation will resume.
12:36 p.m.
The Hillsborough County Fair announced it will be closed Thursday ahead of Tropical Storm Nicole. Fair officials said it would reopen on Friday starting at 1 p.m.
12:24 p.m.
Universal Orlando Resort said it would close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, including CityWalk. Resort hotels will remain operational. The theme park said a phased and delayed reopening on Thursday will begin once the conditions of the park are assessed.
11:50 a.m.
Walt Disney World said it would begin a phased closure starting Wednesday at 5 p.m. and that all parks will remain closed through Thursday morning. Disney World said theme parks will likely not reopen at their scheduled time Thursday.