Residents in Florida are being urged to brace themselves ahead of ' Storm Nicole' this week.
Many locals are still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian but they now face the double blow of a secondary storm, the National Hurricane Centre has warned.
The tropical storm, which currently has gusts of 45mph, is expected to bring between two and four inches of rain to Florida tomorrow evening, ahead of the midterm elections.
It comes after a weather warning was put in place for the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas this weekend.
Meteorologist Robert Shackelford told CNN : “Regardless of development, heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, gale force winds and rip tides will impact eastern Florida and the southeast US."
Mr Shackelford added that Florida could see up to six inches of rain later in the week and Orlando and Jacksonville are also predicted to see heavy downpours with one to four inches expected on Tuesday.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to prepare for the tropical storm and plan ahead.
He said: “I encourage all Floridians to be prepared and make a plan in the event a storm impacts Florida.
“We will continue to monitor the path and trajectory of Invest 98L and we remain in constant contact with all state and local government partners.”
He added there could be heavy winds, rip currents and an increased risk of coastal flooding this week.
Ahead of the midterm elections on Tuesday, voters in Florida have been told to expect high winds and the chance of rain throughout the day in Miami, Orlando and Okeechobee.
The National Weather Service in Miami said: “Conditions may deteriorate as early as Tuesday and persist into Thursday night/Friday morning."
With many residents still recovering from Category 4 Hurricane Ian, Mr DeSantis confirmed he is working closely with local emergency authorities to help coordinate their response.
He said he wanted to “identify potential resource gaps and to implement plans that will allow the state to respond quickly and efficiently ahead of the potential strengthening.”
The warning comes after Hurricane Ian killed at least 120 residents in Florida and left many homes and communities destroyed in late September.
The storm saw winds of nearly 150mph and people were left without running water or electricity for days.
According to the weather service, Florida could be hit with a devastating storm on Wednesday and Thursday with winds and heavy rain expected this week.
They said: “The system could be at or near hurricane strength before it approaches the northwestern Bahamas and the east coast of Florida on Wednesday and Thursday.
"Bringing the potential for a dangerous storm surge, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall to a portion of those areas.
