Nicole heads up East Coast after 4 deaths in Florida

In Volusia County, Florida, damage along the coastline is “unprecedented,” according to county manager George Recktenwald.

Nineteen hotels or condos and 40 single-family homes have been compromised after sustaining damage from the storm, said Kevin Captain, the county’s director of community information. Some of the buildings partially collapsed, he said.

No deaths have been reported in the county, Captain said. One person has been injured, he said.

-ABC News’ Victoria Arancio

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.

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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