TRACKING NICOLE: Boca Raton Under Hurricane Warning

Boca Raton is Under Hurricane Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Watch

Boca Raton is Under Hurricane Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Storm Surge Watch

BOCA RATON, FL – Boca Post (BocaPost.com) — Boca Raton and the surrounding areas are in for some tropical storm-type weather with Nicole fast approaching and possibly strengthening into a hurricane.

According to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Nicole is producing high winds and seas just east of the Bahamas. NHC says that hurricane conditions are expected across portions of the coast of the southeast and east-central Florida beginning this evening or tonight.

With the storm roughing up the waters to include 12-foot seas, a dangerous storm surge is expected along much of the east coast of Florida and portions of coastal Georgia where a Storm Surge Warning is in effect.

While many locals and native Floridians hardly shudder at a tropical storm or even a category one hurricane, Palm Beach County officials are taking this storm seriously. As such, public schools and most municipal and county facilities have been closed Wednesday and Thursday.

Evacuations have started for Zone A and Zone B which consists of mobile homes, barrier islands, and low-lying areas. If you are in an evacuation zone and need shelter, PBC has opened the following shelters:

• Independence Middle School
• Palm Beach Gardens High School
• Park Vista High School
• Lake Shore Middle School
• Pahokee Middle-Senior High School
• Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary
• West Boynton Recreation Center – Pet-friendly shelter