Nicole heads up East Coast after 4 deaths in Florida

Tropical Storm Nicole’s heavy rain is focused on North Florida as its powerful winds pummel Florida and the Georgia and South Carolina coasts.

Nicole will continue to weaken over the next 24 hours as it races up the East Coast.

On Friday morning, the rain will target Georgia, the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic. Flash flooding is possible.

The eastern Carolinas and eastern Virginia could see severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

The rain will spread into Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia Friday morning and then reach New York by lunchtime and New England in the afternoon.

The heaviest rain and biggest potential for flash flooding will be in the interior Northeast.

Scattered thunderstorms are also possible.

-ABC News’ Dan Peck

Tropical Storm Nicole is about 45 miles north of Tampa and is moving northwest at 15 mph, slamming Florida with rain and wind. Nicole's winds have decreased to 45 mph.

The gusty winds are also extending to the Georgia and South Carolina coast.

Tornado watches are in effect in Savannah, Georgia; Brunswick, Georgia; and Beaufort, South Carolina.

-ABC News’ Dan Peck

Florida’s Brevard, Volusia, Flagler and Saint Johns counties, which had already seen beach erosion from September’s Hurricane Ian, are now seeing major beach erosion from Nicole, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday.

3:03

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses status of Tropical Storm Nicole

DeSantis expanded a state of emergency to all Florida counties out of an abundance of caution.

ABCNews.com

DeSantis and Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie warned that the flooding along the Saint Johns River is at major flood stage and could continue to get worse.

DeSantis said 17,000 linemen are standing by to repair the downed power lines and 250 Department of Transportation crews are ready to clear roads and inspect bridges once it’s safe to do so.

-ABC News’ Alexandra Faul

NASA's new moon rocket reportedly experienced 100 mph winds at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday night, as Tropical Storm Nicole took aim at the Sunshine State.

Despite the incoming storm, NASA announced in a statement on Monday evening that its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket would remain on launchpad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center, citing "current forecast data." In another statement on Tuesday evening, NASA said that the $4.1 billion test flight -- the opening shot in the space agency’s Artemis moon-exploration program -- "is designed to withstand" 85 mph winds.

"Current forecasts predict the greatest risks at the pad are high winds that are not expected to exceed the SLS design," the agency added. "The rocket is designed to withstand heavy rains at the launch pad and the spacecraft hatches have been secured to prevent water intrusion."

NASA had been aiming for a third launch attempt on Nov. 14 but is now looking at Nov. 16, "pending safe conditions for employees to return to work, as well as inspections after the storm has passed," the agency said.