The winds began to noticeably pick up Wednesday morning in Jacksonville Beach as preparations continued for win, rain and possible flooding from Tropical Storm Nicole.

In preparation for Nicole, Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue issued a beach safety alert through the weekend. Officials are warning people not to go into the water due to the dangerous conditions.

The Fourth of July holiday means tens of thousands of people will hit Jacksonville-area beaches, and fireworks are scheduled to go off from the Jacksonville Beach Pier at 9 p.m. Monday.

The Fourth of July holiday means tens of thousands of people will hit Jacksonville-area beaches.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. As the start of the Republican National Convention grows closer, just 47 days away as of Tuesday, Jacksonville is gearing up for a large number of visitors. Jacksonville-area beaches leaders are preparing for an influx of people there, as well. Its coming at a vulnerable time when coronavirus cases are spiking in the state and some businesses are closed. Its like a mini Super Bowl, said Sonny Bhikha, who runs the Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beach and three other hotels in the area. The three beaches cities are also planning their response to the RNC together in one unified command team.

Fourth of July fireworks in Jacksonville will still go on as planned, despite a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. The city-sponsored Independence Day fireworks will take off from six locations in whats planned to be Jacksonvilles largest display ever. We are prepared to act if theres an urgent need to act, said Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham about beaches being open. This isnt over, said UF Health infectious disease expert Chad Neilsen, who holds a masters degree in public health. The city of Jacksonville will launch fireworks from six locations this 4th of July.