Nicole floods streets in South Florida

Shortly after Hurricane Nicole made landfall early Thursday along the east coast of Florida, it downgraded to a tropical storm but it was still battering a large area of the storm-weary state with strong winds, dangerous storm surge and heavy rain.

Footage showed flooded streets throughout Broward County, near Miami, including in Hollywood Beach and Dania Beach. Nicole had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph early Thursday.

Authorities warned that Nicole’s storm surge could further erode many beaches hit by Hurricane Ian in September.  The storm is then forecast to head into Georgia and the Carolinas later Thursday and Friday.