Tropical Storm Nicole (2010)

Basin

North Atlantic

Dates

September 28, 2010 to September 30, 2010

Peak strength

Tropical Storm, 40 kt (46 mph)

Lowest pressure

994 mb (29.35 inHg)

Landfall

Yes

Accumulated cyclone energy

0.7

Tropical-storm-force wind reached

300 nmi (556 km, 345 mi) from the center at its widest

Eyewall radius at its peak

180 nmi (333 km, 207 mi)

Overall size

375 nmi (695 km, 432 mi) to the outermost closed isobar

Peak gust in the best track

45 kt (52 mph)

Fastest the center moved

20 kt (23 mph)

Identifier

AL162010

Radar at KAMX as it neared land, Sep 30, 00:00 UTC

The sources count different things and are not added together.

NOAA’s Storm Events database, the record National Weather Service offices compile months after a storm, as compiled March 2026.

Deaths

9 (7 direct, 2 indirect)

Injuries

0

Property damage

$17 million

Crop damage

$70 million

Events recorded

298 in 36 reports from 14 states and marine areas

State by state

What was recorded

161 flash flood, 111 flood, 10 heavy rain, 7 marine thunderstorm wind, 7 high wind, 1 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado.

1 tornado recorded in the United States, strongest first.

The Weather Prediction Center attributes 530 rain gauge totals over the contiguous United States to this storm. The wettest reached 12.71 inches (323 mm).

WPC’s storm rainfall file, 1900 to 2020, compiled by David Roth.

The strongest winds National Weather Service offices recorded with this storm. An estimated figure is a forecaster’s judgment from the damage, not an instrument reading.

From the Storm Events narratives, unedited.

Several days of very heavy rain led to widespread flooding across Washington County. Numerous small streams flooded causing many acres of crops to be damaged. High water did minor damage to a few homes along Highway 64 from near Plymouth to Scuppernong. Five deaths, near Creswell on the 30th, were directly attributed to the flooding. The crash occurred on U.S. 64, west of Creswell, just after noon. The vehicle hydroplaned on the highway, then went off the right side of the road. The vehicle then ran down a small hill, hit an embankment and flipped over into a flooded canal where the occupants drowned.

Washington, North Carolina · Flood · Sep 30, 02:00 UTC

The first round of heavy rain caused poor drainage flooding and small stream flooding during the day on the 30th mainly in the western half of Chester County. In Honeybrook Township, westbound Beaver Dam Road near South Birdell Road flooded. A vehicle stalled in the flood waters and the driver had to be rescued. In Caln Township, the 11th Avenue Bridge was inaccessible. In West Vincent Township, Horseshoe Trail was closed because of flooding between Pennsylvania State Route 113 and Chantilly Road. The Octorara School district dismissed children early because of flooded roads. Two day (including October 1st) storm totals included 9.79 inches in Kennett Square, 8.25 inches in West Chester, 7.49 inches in Nottingham, 7.36 inches in Unionville and 7.27 inches in Spring City.

Chester, Pennsylvania · Flood · Sep 30, 13:00 UTC

Torrential rain moved across most of Carteret County during the late afternoon and evening of September 30th as the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole moved north across the region. This rain fell on saturated ground from very heavy rain the previous few days. Significant flash flooding developed especially for areas from Emerald Isle and Cape Carteret east toward Morehead City. rapid water rises washed out several roads in the western portion of the county with some subdivisions briefly cutoff form major roads. Minor flooding of a few residences was reported over the western portion of the county.

Carteret, North Carolina · Flash Flood · Sep 30, 22:30 UTC

Heavy rain fell across the county, with 6.65 inches in Andes and 5.16 inches in Walton. Flash flooding occurred throughout much of the county. Numerous road closures were reported in Hancock and in Walton among others due to flooding and mudslides. State Route 10 was closed due to flooding. In Bovina Center, the Little Delaware River went out of it's banks, covering the road and Bridge nearby. Several river points experienced moderate to major flooding. Major flooding was reported on the West Branch Delaware River near Delhi, which reached it's flood of record for the period of record and exceeded major flood stage. The flood of record also occurred at Tremper Kill near Andes, also exceeding major flood stage.

Delaware, New York · Flash Flood · Oct 1, 05:00 UTC

Heavy rain that began on September 30 caused Flash Flooding during the early morning hours of October 1. In Bristol, water washed over Route 116 on the north and side of the village. South of Bristol the New Haven River flooded route 116 and approached a bridge, forcing the closure of the road. In Lincoln, flood waters from the New Haven River threatened Burnham Hall, and emergency workers were dispatched to deploy flood panels. Farm buildings were flooded in Lincoln as well. A culvert on the New Haven was overwhelmed upstream at the corner of Ripton Road and Grimes Road. River Road between New Haven Mills and Route 7 was closed by flooding of the New Haven River. Further south near Middlebury, 3-Mile Bridge Road was closed by flood waters from the Middlebury River between Route 7 and Halliday Road. A portion of Route 125 was closed when a mudslide undermined the road near Ripton.

Addison, Vermont · Flash Flood · Oct 1, 05:33 UTC

Four homes were evacuated along Norwood Street in Bethlehem because of flooding along the Saucon Creek. Basement flooding occurred. The Lehigh River at Walnutport along the Lehigh and Northampton County line was above its 8 foot flood stage from 446 a.m. EDT through 218 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 9.11 feet at 1015 a.m. EDT. Farther downstream, the Lehigh River at Glendon was above its 19 foot flood stage from 857 a.m. EDT through 315 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 19.34 feet at 11 a.m. EDT. The Monocacy Creek at Bethlehem was above its 4.5 foot flood stage from 203 a.m. EDT through 835 a.m. EDT on the 1st and again from 1037 a.m. EDT through 426 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 5.94 feet at 415 a.m. EDT. Event precipitation totals included 8.85 inches in Bath, 8.58 inches in Easton and 6.71 inches in Walnutport.

Northampton, Pennsylvania · Flood · Oct 1, 06:03 UTC

The Big Elk Creek flooded in Elkton during the morning of the 1st. A shopping center at Bridge Street was flooded as was Howard Street. Elsewhere in Cecil County, Winding Brook Village northeast of Elkton flooded. There was flooding in downtown Perryville. In Charlestown, flooding occurred along Maryland State Route 7 and Broad Street. School buses were detoured around flooded roads. Event precipitation totals were 8.00 inches in Conowingo, 6.74 inches in Elkton and 6.60 inches in Colora.

Cecil, Maryland · Flood · Oct 1, 07:00 UTC

High winds caused a tree limb to come down onto a primary power line on Crane Avenue in Pittsfield, resulting in a power outage to about 350 homes. Power was restored by 8 AM LST, however Crane Avenue remained closed until late in the afternoon while road crews repaired the substantial gash burned into the pavement by the downed live power lines.

Northern Berkshire, Massachusetts · High Wind · Oct 1, 07:00 UTC

The East Ditch at Beaver Brook Road was above its 2.5 foot flood stage from 442 a.m. EDT on the 1st through 1232 a.m. EDT on the 2nd. It crested at 3.79 feet at 1130 a.m. EDT on the 1st. The Rockaway River above the Boonton Reservoir was above its 5 foot flood stage from 203 p.m. EDT on the 1st through 1241 a.m. EDT on the 2nd. It crested at 5.33 feet at 515 p.m EDT on the 1st. Event precipitation totals included 5.55 inches in Rockaway, 5.50 inches in Butler, 5.08 inches in Denville, 4.82 inches in Chatham and 4.25 inches in Parsippany.

Morris, New Jersey · Flood · Oct 1, 08:42 UTC

While the Delaware River did not flood, a significant rise in stage occurred on the river. A breakaway barge had to be guided under the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge which was closed until that occurred. The South Branch of the Raritan River at Stanton was above its 8 foot flood stage from 647 a.m. EDT through 1100 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 8.79 feet at 900 a.m. EDT. Event precipitation totals included 6.72 inches in Holland, 6.62 inches in Bethlehem, 6.33 inches in Stockton and 5.14 inches in Flemington.

Hunterdon, New Jersey · Flood · Oct 1, 10:47 UTC

Flooding caused portions of many major roads to be closed. Specifically, the Saw Mill River Parkway was closed in both directions between the Taconic State Pkwy. and Manville Rd. in Pleasantville. Southbound lanes from Interstate 287 and northbound lanes from Interstate 87 to Rt. 119 in Elmsford were also closed, as was Exit 7 at Tuckahoe Rd. in Yonkers. The Bronx River Pkwy. was shut in both directions from the Sprain Brook Pkwy. in Yonkers to the Main St. Bridge in White Plains. Fourteen families living in a two-story apartment building on Harrison Ave. in Harrison were evacuated after a ceiling in the hallway collapsed, causing flooding throughout the building. Property damage amounts are estimated. Total rainfall amounts ranged from 3.58 inches in White Plains to 6.25 inches in Yorktown Heights.

Westchester, New York · Flash Flood · Oct 1, 12:00 UTC

Numerous roads were closed due to flooding in the towns of New Haven and West Haven. A school bus loaded with children became stuck in high water at the intersection of Washington Ave. and Wood St. in West Haven. The water was so high that the children had to stand on the seats to avoid getting wet. The local fire department rescued the children on board. The basement of Seth Haley School on South St. in West Haven filled with two to three feet of water in approximately ten minutes and caused the school to be closed for the day. Rainfall totals ranged from 1.73 inches at New Haven/Tweed Airport to 3.05 inches in Hamden.

New Haven, Connecticut · Flash Flood · Oct 1, 12:35 UTC

Heavy rains caused flooding along the Passumpsic River and its tributaries in Lyndonville. On the north side of Lyndonville, Water covered Routes 122, 114, and 5 between the confluence of the East and West Branches of the Passumpsic, and Miller Run. Miller Run also flooded Center Street near Route 122. Further downstream along just south of Lyndonville village, Route 5 was closed between Hill Street and Red Village Road by flood waters from the Passumpsic. A motorist was trapped by rising flood waters but escaped to safety, and two kayakers were reported missing but later found safe. Evacuations were recommended to residents along Route 122 between Lyndonville and Interstate 91 due to limited access.

Caledonia, Vermont · Flood · Oct 1, 13:35 UTC

In Wilton, a man and a woman drowned shortly after launching their 2-person kayak into the swollen Norwalk River in the early evening hours after the heavy rain had ceased. Neither of them were wearing a life preserver, and the river was moving quickly at the time of the accident. Rainfall totals ranged from 1.59 inches in Bridgeport to 5.54 inches in Danbury.

Fairfield, Connecticut · Heavy Rain · Oct 1, 21:15 UTC

• Hurricane AlexNorth Atlantic · 2010Cat 295 kt · 946 mb
• Unnamed tropical depressionNorth Atlantic · 2010Tropical Depression30 kt · 1005 mb
• Tropical Storm BonnieNorth Atlantic · 2010 · 1 deathTropical Storm40 kt · 1005 mb
• Tropical Storm ColinNorth Atlantic · 2010Tropical Storm50 kt · 1005 mb
• Unnamed tropical depressionNorth Atlantic · 2010Tropical Depression30 kt · 1007 mb
• Hurricane DanielleNorth Atlantic · 2010Cat 4115 kt · 942 mb
• Hurricane EarlNorth Atlantic · 2010 · 8 deathsCat 4125 kt · 927 mb
• Tropical Storm FionaNorth Atlantic · 2010Tropical Storm55 kt · 998 mb
• Tropical Storm GastonNorth Atlantic · 2010Tropical Storm35 kt · 1005 mb
• Hurricane IgorNorth Atlantic · 2010 · 4 deathsCat 4135 kt · 924 mb
• Hurricane JuliaNorth Atlantic · 2010Cat 4120 kt · 948 mb
• Hurricane KarlNorth Atlantic · 2010Cat 3110 kt · 956 mb
• Hurricane LisaNorth Atlantic · 2010Cat 175 kt · 982 mb
• Tropical Storm MatthewNorth Atlantic · 2010 · 126 deathsTropical Storm50 kt · 998 mb
• Hurricane OttoNorth Atlantic · 2010Cat 175 kt · 976 mb
• Hurricane PaulaNorth Atlantic · 2010Cat 290 kt · 981 mb
• Hurricane RichardNorth Atlantic · 2010Cat 285 kt · 977 mb
• Hurricane SharyNorth Atlantic · 2010Cat 165 kt · 989 mb
• Hurricane TomasNorth Atlantic · 2010Cat 285 kt · 982 mb

A best track is the record a warning agency settles on after the storm, not what it said at the time: position, maximum sustained wind and central pressure every six hours, revised against every observation that came in later. Category is the Saffir-Simpson scale, which runs from Category 1 at 64 kt to Category 5 at 137 kt and reads wind only, so it says nothing about surge or rain. Accumulated cyclone energy adds up the square of the wind through the storm's life, so it counts strength and duration together.

Storm history from NOAA NCEI’s International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS), which merges the official best track of every warning agency. Live storms, cones, watches and warnings from the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived radar from NOAA’s Level II archive.

• Tropical cyclone report, National Hurricane Center
• Every advisory and discussion NHC issued while it was live
• Best track as KMZ, National Hurricane Center
• Wikipedia article: Tropical Storm Nicole