A hurricane of unusual magnitude is headed for the east coast of the United States and is likely to bring storm surges where Ian has previously struck. Evacuations are therefore being ordered in the Sunshine State.
Hurricane Ian only left a path of devastation in the USA and Cuba at the end of September: According to the authorities in Florida, the number of fatalities was more than 100, and the economic damage was more than 70 billion dollars. The affected areas are still a long way from being rebuilt – and now the next storm is on the horizon. “Nicole” has gained strength over the Bahamas and is heading for the east coast of the USA – even though the hurricane season is almost over in November. In Florida, people are therefore preparing for evacuations – and Donald Trump’s Mar-a-lago palace is also affected.
A hurricane in November is rare for Florida, which is generally used to storms. It has only happened twice since records began in 1853 – hurricanes Yankee in 1935 and hurricane Kate 1985 Nicole is unusually large, 485 miles across, and a storm surge of up to 1.5 meters is expected. The hurricane is expected to reach Florida on Thursday night (local time) and is expected to further damage beaches and areas already hit by the hurricane ian were affected. The storm should then move on to Georgia, North and South Carolina. Heavy rains are also expected there.
The storm was about 105 miles (170 kilometers) east of West Palm Beach, Fla., early Wednesday evening (local time) with maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, making it a Category 1 hurricane, the said National Hurricane Center in a statement. “The winds are the main concern Nicolebut we also expect heavy rains,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a briefing. He warned residents to prepare for power outages.
Just below the hurricane threshold, the storm center reached land over the Bahamian island of Great Abaco on Wednesday. As a result, according to the US hurricane center NHC, sustained wind speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour were measured – from 119 kilometers per hour it is a hurricane.
Emergency shelters had been provided and public facilities closed in the Bahamas. According to initial media reports, flooding occurred on the Abaco Islands and the island of Grand Bahama. There, in the north-west of the island nation, there was a hurricane in September 2019 Dorian one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever recorded, causing more than 70 deaths and severe destruction.