Storm Surge/Tide — Coastal Broward County, Florida

2022-11-09 to 2022-11-10 · Coastal Broward County, Florida

Event narrative

A storm tide of 2.09 ft above Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) was measured at South Port Everglades, which was compounded by seasonal high (King) tides. Rough surf caused significant damage to the the piers at Hillsboro Beach and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Moderate coastal flooding was observed in the typically vulnerable areas on the barrier islands, as well as on the mainland side of the Intracoastal Waterway. State road A1a in Fort Lauderdale Beach was closed due to persistent flooding, with waters water encroaching on structures on the west side of the highway. The ocean washed over the boardwalk in Hollywood and came up to the front door of structures on the beachfront. Many parts of the barrier island in Pompano Beach were flooded with several inches of water, and water entered at least one garage. Flooded streets were also reported on the mainland side of the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale.

Wider weather episode

Nicole formed as a subtropical storm about 600 miles east of the Bahamas on November 7th, then moved northwest. Nicole gained tropical characteristics and became a tropical storm on November 8th as it turned west and west-southwest. Nicole strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on November 9th as it moved over Great Abaco and Grand Bahama islands. Nicole then turned to the northwest as it approached Florida, making landfall just south of Vero Beach at 3 AM on November 10th as a Category 1 hurricane with lowest central pressure of 981 mb. Nicole then was downgraded to a tropical storm while moving inland across Central Florida.

Nicole's large wind field west of the storm center led to tropical storm force winds along the SE Florida coast and adjacent Atlantic waters beginning on the afternoon of November 8th and continuing until the pre-dawn hours of November 10th. Tropical storm force winds also spread across Lake Okeechobee during the late night of November 9th and early morning of November 10th. Peak winds over land areas were in the 50-60 mph range, confined to the immediate coastal areas.

Storm tide from Nicole was measured at 2.52 ft above Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) at Lake Worth Pier, 2.09 ft above MHHW at South Port Everglades, and 2.14 feet above MHHW at Virginia Key. Tidal flooding and beach erosion were observed along most of the SE Florida coast from the Miami area northward through the Palm Beaches.

Storm total rainfall was in the 3-5 inch range across SE Florida.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1067905. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.