Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere / Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
As reported by CNN
Editorial note: this story is no longer being updated. Please check our latest storm coverage on the site.
Humberto rapidly intensified and reached Category 5, unleashing an extremely powerful hurricane over the warm waters of the North Atlantic over the weekend.
There is a real, though not obvious, risk to the southeast coast of the United States that requires close monitoring by local authorities and the public.
The strengthening tropical depression near the Bahamas pushes the direct strike away from land, but could bring flooding, storm surge, gusty winds, and dangerous waves starting Monday.
Tropical Depression No. 9 formed between Cuba and the Bahamas with a maximum sustained wind speed of about 35 mph; the storm could become Tropical Storm Imelda on Sunday, and by the end of Monday or Tuesday – a Category 1 hurricane.
Storm surge warnings are in effect for the Bahamas this weekend, and tropical warnings have appeared for the eastern coast of Florida from the Palm Beach–Martin line to the Flagler–Volusia line. They expect the system to stay offshore as it moves north.
Forecast models indicate the storm’s center will pass over the Bahamas this weekend and move north along the northeast United States, but Humberto may change pace and push the storm away from the coast at the start of next week.
Even if Imelda does not make landfall, the impacts from heavy rainfall and storm surge will remain real.
First impacts could arrive as early as Monday along the southeastern United States: eastern Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas are expected to take the brunt.
Forecast rainfall has eased: currently expecting 1–4 inches of rain in the Carolinas by Wednesday morning.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Friday, activating regional response plans and mobilizing agencies in preparation for strong winds, floods, and storm surge.
Charleston declared a local state of emergency on Saturday and began distributing sandbags and clearing storm drains, according to the official statement.
Although there are no evacuation orders at the moment, residents should be prepared, McMaster warned during a Saturday press conference.
“We know there will be strong winds, heavy rain, and we know some parts of the state could see flooding, perhaps in areas that haven’t seen it before,”
“There is an ‘above-average’ level of uncertainty regarding this forecast.”
FEMA said it is ready to support states along the Southeast coast as needed and is actively coordinating with several of them.
Amid discussions of the situation, the topic of future changes in weather conditions remains: heavy rainfall and storm surge require attention even without a direct hit.
All stakeholders expect further updates over the next week. The main thing now is to stay vigilant to local warnings and prepare for possible floods, storm surge, and strong winds.
You may be interested in these materials:
- Tropical storm Imelda forms in the Atlantic, threatening the US East Coast with heavy rains and floods alongside Hurricane Humberto. Residents urged to prepare for potential severe weather early next week.
- Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified to Category 5 in the Atlantic, driven by warm ocean waters and climate change, posing risks to coastal areas with strong winds and flooding.
- A massive glacier landslide in Blatten, Switzerland, has devastated the village, causing missing persons and flood risks due to blocked rivers amid climate change concerns.
