USA – Storm Surge From Hurricane Nicole in Florida Causes Shoreline Buildings to Collapse

by in News, USA

Several homes have collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean following damage caused by Hurricane Nicole in Florida, USA. Authorities also report at least 4 fatalities as a result of the storm.

Buildings destroyed by Hurricane Nicole in Volusia County, Florida, 10 November 2022. Photo: Volusia Sheriff’s Office

Hurricane Nicole made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on 10 November 2022 along the east coast of Florida just south of Vero Beach. Nicole weakened to a tropical storm as it moved over central east Florida. Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed an emergency declaration for all 67 counties in the state on 10 November.

Coastal flooding was reported in several cities on the east coast of Florida including Hollywood, Palm Beach Shores, Fort Lauderdale, Saint Augustine and Daytona Beach.

Volusia County Sheriff reported several buildings collapsed along the shoreline of Daytona Beach, Wilbur-by-the-Sea and neighbouring areas. Storm surge and erosion from Hurricane Nicole coming soon after Hurricane Ian was blamed for the destruction. A further 49 beachfront buildings in Volusia County were compromised and deemed unsafe. Over 20 hotels and condos and at least 25 private homes were evacuated.

Meanwhile officials in Orange County said two people died after they were electrocuted by a downed power line in Orlando. Two other people died in a vehicle accident said to have been caused by severe weather conditions.

Meanwhile the St. Johns River has reached above flood stage in several locations, causing further flooding. In Astor, the river is fast approaching the record levels reached in October during Hurricane Ian.

Wind damage and downed power lines left nearly 355,000 accounts without power at one stage.

Governor Ron DeSantis said in a statement on 10 November that there are nearly 600 National Guardsmen activated on standby to perform search and rescue once weather clears. Seven of Florida’s Urban Search and Rescue teams are on standby and ready to respond to Tropical Storm Nicole.

Previously Nicole had caused damage and storm surge floods in the Bahamas, where roads were closed and dozens of people evacuated their homes.

Levels of the St.Johns River at Astor, FL after Hurricane Nicole 10 November 2022. Image: NWS / NOAA
Buildings destroyed by Hurricane Nicole in Volusia County, Florida, 10 November 2022. Photo: Volusia Sheriff’s Office

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