Tropical Storm — Orange, Florida

2022-11-10 · Orange, Florida

Event narrative

Hurricane Nicole's extensive wind field led to a period of tropical storm force winds and heavy rain in Orange County. Scattered reports of trees downed and some minor structural damage due to strong winds, which surface observations indicated peaked between 55 to 65 mph through the county. At the height of the storm, 76,000 customers were left without power. Two indirect storm-related fatalities were reported when a 23-year-old man and his twin sister came in contact with a downed power line near the intersection of Bayfront Parkway and East Pershing Ave in Conway.

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Nicole made landfall near Vero Beach, Florida as a Category 1 Hurricane on Thursday, November 10, 2023 with estimated maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. The system was originally classified as a subtropical storm after forming several hundred miles east of the Bahamas before it gained tropical characteristics as it approached Grand Bahama and Abaco Island. The interplay between Nicole and an expansive area of high pressure over the eastern United States produced a large wind field of tropical storm force over the western Atlantic, with a long northeast fetch that stretched over 1000 miles. These onshore winds generated very large seas in excess of 30 feet offshore, which over multiple unusually high tide cycles, led to moderate to severe beach erosion across east central Florida. Damage to coastal structures was extensive, particularly across Volusia County where an already weakened shoreline due to Hurricane Ian succumbed to the long-duration high surf event. Two indirect storm-related fatalities were reported in Orange County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1067685. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.