Tropical Storm Imelda Forms, Expected to Intensify into Hurricane as Southeast Prepares
Tropical Storm Imelda Forms, Expected to Intensify into Hurricane as Southeast Prepares
Tropical Storm Imelda has formed over the Bahamas, with forecasts indicating it will strengthen into a hurricane. While its direct threat to the Southeast U.S. coast appears to be diminishing, the region is still bracing for significant impacts, including heavy rainfall and coastal flooding.
As of Sunday evening, Imelda possesses maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and is located 335 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical storm warnings are currently active for the central and northwestern Bahamas, where the storm is already producing heavy rain, with potential totals ranging from 4 to 12 inches, raising concerns for flash flooding.
Over the past 24 to 36 hours, Imelda’s projected path has shifted away from a direct landfall on the Southeast coast. After moving north parallel to Florida’s Atlantic coast through Monday, the storm is now expected to make an abrupt eastward turn, moving away from the coast while intensifying into a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday. Consequently, tropical storm watches for parts of Florida’s east coast have been discontinued.
Imelda’s slower-than-anticipated northward progression means it will be influenced by the powerful Hurricane Humberto, which rapidly intensified into a rare Category 5 storm over the open Atlantic on Saturday, later weakening slightly to a high-end Category 4 on Sunday morning. Humberto is expected to pull Imelda away from the U.S. coast by Tuesday.
Despite the improved outlook, officials caution residents along the Southeast coast to remain vigilant. The hurricane center noted a decreasing risk of significant wind impacts but urged continued monitoring of forecasts. Coastal areas of eastern Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas could still experience the storm’s initial effects as early as Monday, with concerns remaining for flooding rain, especially in the coastal Carolinas, and high surf leading to coastal flooding and beach erosion.
Rainfall forecasts for the coastal Carolinas have been adjusted down to 2 to 6 inches through Wednesday morning. Imelda’s expanding wind field will bring strong, gusty winds to the Southeast coast early to mid-week.
Preparations are underway in the Southeast. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued a state of emergency on Friday, activating statewide response plans. The City of Charleston declared a local state of emergency on Saturday, distributing sandbags and clearing storm drains.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Humberto, though not a direct threat to the U.S., is expected to steer west of Bermuda. However, Bermuda could experience rain bands and gusty winds Tuesday into Wednesday, leading to a tropical storm watch for the archipelago. Imelda may also approach Bermuda later in the week.
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