DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - As Subtropical Storm Nicole grows stronger and inches closer to Southeast Florida’s coast, residents are prepared for the worst but not worried about it.
Local patrons visited grocery stores Monday afternoon but more so for the Powerball lottery tickets. Even though most shoppers were at their local grocery stores to try to win money, most people shopped for necessities ahead of the storm.
“With any hurricane watch you need to be taking today to prepare for potential hurricane conditions,” said Jamie Rhome, National Hurricane Center acting director. “I want to be clear, this is not looking like a major hurricane but certainly winds to category 1 strength are possible.”
Kenna Doscher has the snacks on deck since a parasail boat business is a no-go already.
“If the wind blows over 25 miles per hour, we can’t work … 35, 40 miles per hour winds,” she said.
Many were made aware of the storm Monday morning and did not hesitate to prep before heavy rain and wind hits their area.
Residents should prepare as soon as possible in case the storm gets worse.
South Floridians who have lived in the area for a long time said unexpected hurricanes at inopportune times are common.
“I remember the last November, which was 2017, and everytime we have a storm, it’s like that,” said Joao Travensouro. “Stores start to get empty and all the craziness leads all the stores to get empty, so I really hope this time it’s gonna be good for us.”
Other residents were surprised to hear a storm is headed towards South Florida so late into hurricane season.
“This was news to me,” said Dan Long, resident of Deerfield Beach. “I just saw it on my phone earlier.”
“What I do is kind of take moment by moment,” said Eric Roy, resident of Deerfield Beach. “There’s not really much you can do by that, you know, if your going to get out of the way of the storm, you gonna get out of the way of the storm because you’re gonna have some information, but like he just said, this is all news to me.”
“It’s Nov. 7, so yeah, you can’t mess around. Look what happened to the West Coast,” said a shopper.
Some began to collect necessary items such as water and batteries while others said they have been here, done that.
“This is far into hurricane season, but you need to be prepared: flashlights, water, candles,” said a shopper.
Rik Squadrito said you don’t have to get ready if you stay ready.
“My car has a bunch of stuff in case of emergencies,” said Squadrito. “Same thing at my house, I keep four cases of water on hand.”
He also got some essentials.
“I went for the food and water supplies and some wine,” said Squadrito.
Many locals know what to expect and are not worried about the storm.
Rich is one of those who aren’t worryied about the storm. He said at his age of 89 years old he is ready for anything.
“When you’re down here all this time and have gone through so many storms, it’s nothing,” he said. “Sometimes it’s even fun when you’re old.”
Brian Latker isn’t worried about a storm shopping list ether.
“I’ve now lived in Florida long enough that a Cat 1 or Cat 2 is a rainstorm, so we just get what we need for a good night, and that’s about it,” said Latker.
Officials from the National Hurricane Center said if you choose to prepare for the storm, you have 24 hours to do so.
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