Update – 4:15 PM EST

Our communities are reporting very little disruption:

• The Canopy at Walden Woods lost power briefly and the backup generators worked as tested. Walden Woods has had their power restored.

• Seagrass Village of Fleming Island had internet and phone service outages, but those services are coming back online sporadically.

Most communities in the storm’s path have been experiencing wind, some high gusts and rain. Communities affected are faring well, and those yet to experience Nicole are prepared for her arrival.

At the 4:00 PM EST update from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Nicole is moving toward the northwest near 15 MPH, and this general motion should continue this evening, followed by a turn toward the north tonight. Nicole is expected to accelerate north northeastward on Friday.

On the forecast track, the center of Nicole will move along the coast of the Florida Big Bend region for the next several hours before moving across the eastern Florida Panhandle. After that, Nicole should move northward over Georgia later tonight, and then move through the southeastern United States on Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 MPH with higher gusts. These winds are mainly occurring over the Gulf of Mexico to the west of the center. Little change in strength is expected this evening while the center moves along the coast of the Florida Big Bend. Nicole is expected to weaken to a depression over Georgia tonight, and then it is expected to dissipate over the Mid-Atlantic United States by Friday night.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. A Weather STEM station on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville recently reported a wind gust of 54 MPH.