HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - As Subtropical Storm Nicole forms near the Bahamas and approaches the east coast of Florida, locals, tourists and business owners shared their thoughts on the upcoming storm.
Not only is rain a concern, but the king tides that are set to happen will also add to a swarm of water.
Places like Hollywood Beach, along with neighborhoods nearby, are under a hurricane watch. Pumps have been deployed to pump water from storm drains, which will run the water into a nearby body of water.
A sidewalk was shown already flooded with water from the king tides, Monday afternoon.
Hotel workers have already seen cancellations for Wednesday and Thursday as travelers discover the storm ahead.
Those who have already checked in are now trying to check out early.
“My wife called the airport earlier to see if we could get a flight out maybe tomorrow instead of Wednesday and don’t look good, I don’t know,” said Bob Kennedy.
Storm preparations are underway off the beach in Hollywood as crews cleared drains and readied pumps to move water off of neighborhood streets.
The South Florida Water Management District has already lowered canals, as heavy rainfall is likely on the way.
“We can’t wait until the storm is on top of you to start making these adjustments, you do it days before when you get the initial forecast, and by the time that we actually start to be impacted, we all know that our flood control system is where it should be,” said Randy Smith, of the South Florida Water Management District.
They are sucking debris from drains as every bit helps, especially in areas prone to flooding like Rio Vista in Fort Lauderdale where crews on Monday put out signs to remind drivers that this neighborhood is a no-wake zone.
Many people were seen out on the beach as the calm before the storm settles into the day, but changes in weather as the storm approached are expected later in the week.
Slim Yol, a worker at Florio’s Pizza, shared his thoughts on the upcoming storm.
“It looks like it’s gonna come out,” Yol said. “It seems like it’s gonna hit, but you never know. At the last minute, anything can change. I’ve never been pessimistic, especially for South Florida weather.”
And if conditions get worse, like most shops along the boardwalk, Florio’s will be forced to close.
“If the rain gets high, definitely we’re going to close, Yol said.
Russel Gonzalez, a Tampa resident, shared his thoughts.
“This time of the year, we don’t expect it either because it’s the end of hurricane season,” said Gonzalez.
Although it might be a beautiful day in Florida, changes are expected to start as soon as Tuesday.
Communities in Broward began to distribute sandbags on Tuesday morning.
“We are expecting a heavy turnout. This is going to be a rain event, the last one of the season, so I think a lot of people are preparing,” said a volunteer.
Dozens of people were at Mills Pond Park to prepare sandbags ahead of the storm and king tides set to bring major flooding.
“Just preparing my sandbags just because I’m a new homeowner,” said a local resident.
Another woman said she was gathering sandbags because of the sewer drains by her house.
“They are really high because the tides are up so, I thought with the storm coming, we might have more flooding,” said the woman.
The combination of the king tides, plus the flooding from the upcoming storm, already has some homeowners putting up sandbags.
If the storm does come to South Florida, The Riptide, a local restaurant, said they would pause the music for a night or two, and those who could not leave early can ride out the storm.
“I’m retired. I can do what I want, go home when I want, so it’s not a big deal,” said Kennedy.
For details on where to pick up sandbags, click here.
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