MIAMI, September 29 – Hurricane Humberto, a powerful Category 4 storm, is expected to produce dangerous surf for Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast this week, while Tropical Storm Imelda strengthens near the Bahamas, forecasters said Monday.
At 2 a.m. EDT, Humberto was located about 645 km south-southwest of Bermuda, moving northwest at 22 kmph with maximum sustained winds of 220 kmph, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported. The storm is forecast to gradually turn before accelerating east-northeast by late Tuesday or early Wednesday. While Humberto’s intensity may fluctuate in the coming days, it is expected to remain a major hurricane for the next couple of days. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Bermuda.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Imelda, which formed Sunday, was about 210 km northwest of central Bahamas and 505 km southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, moving north at 13 kmph with maximum sustained winds of 75 kmph. Portions of the Bahamas, including Nassau, Andros Island, San Salvador, and Long Island, remain under tropical storm warnings, with rainfall expected to reach 6 to 12 inches and up to 10 inches in isolated spots.
“Residents in low-lying areas should take actions to mitigate property damage due to flooding,” the Bahamas Department of Meteorology said. Streets and seaside areas in Nassau were largely deserted Sunday as light but steady rains flooded roads and choppy waters kept residents and tourists away from Potter’s Cay Dock. Flights were cancelled, with airports expected to reopen once conditions improve.
In the United States, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster warned that Imelda could bring high winds, heavy rain, and flooding, with search and rescue crews prepositioned ahead of the storm. “This storm is deadly serious. Not just serious. Deadly serious,” he said. In North Carolina, Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency even before the storm formed.
