DANIA BEACH, Fla. – While it’s not the safest idea, some South Florida surfers took advantage of the waves Wednesday in Broward County as Tropical Storm Nicole heads toward Florida’s east coast.
“This is some of the worst waves I’ve seen in years,” one man on Dania Beach said.
“There are some pretty cool rideable waves out there,” another added.
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“A lot of people are staying away from the water this morning. You came to it. Tell me why?” Local 10 News reporter Saira Anwer asked one beachgoer.
“Because we’re crazy. You gotta be a little nuts to do this,” he said.
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There were severely flooded streets across Dania Beach and Hollywood at king tide time Wednesday morning.
A Local 10 News crew spotted a couple stalled cars, but those we spoke to who were out and about say they’re keeping their cool.
“I don’t think it’s going to be that serious, honestly, so we’re just out here checking it out,” one resident said.
“The waves are really big,” one girl, Sophia Potvin, said. “Terrifying.”
Broward County Emergency Management officials warned people who live in coastal areas of dangerous storm surge.
“My walking buddies that walk with me backed out from the walk and went home,” Asya Scher, of Deerfield Beach, told Local 10 News Wednesday morning.
Deerfield Beach saw wet and windy conditions Wednesday morning as Nicole heads north.
“It’s getting tough because it’s pushing me, and when the wind can push me, it’s getting strong,” one beachgoer said.
Local 10′s cameras captured the strong waves crashing onto the shore and pier.
Some trees were even seen whipping hard in the wind.
Some people who thought about going into the water quickly reconsidered.
“I was going for a swim. I have my bathing suit on and it’s pretty windy,” Scher said.
But not everyone seemed to be bothered by the weather, although the late storm closed the fishing pier in Deerfield Beach.
Local 10 spotted a number of people trying their luck surfing and swimming into the high waves.
“They are bigger than they usually are,” one Deerfield Beach resident identified only as Carla said.
“Watch these poor young kids and you get rogue wave coming, it will take them out -- forget about it,” another resident, John Struhar, said.
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