Hurricane Humberto intensifies into a major threat near Bermuda as a second system, potentially Imelda, eyes the Carolinas with heavy rain and wind risk.
AccuWeather hurricane experts are issuing an urgent advisory for the Southeastern United States, warning residents and officials to immediately prepare for possible tropical wind and rain impacts early next week from an emerging storm near the Bahamas.
The primary concern is the potential for major, life-threatening flooding across portions of the region.
This developing system, currently a tropical rainstorm that emerged near Hispaniola, is forecast to organize into a tropical storm named Imelda over the weekend, fueled by warm waters and decreasing wind shear. AccuWeather uses the term “tropical rainstorm” to emphasize the system’s potential for significant impacts even before official classification.
Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva stated there is an “increasing potential for flooding rainfall in the Carolinas, especially if the storm lingers along the coast or if it stalls over land.” He advises the Carolinas to “be prepared for the possibility of a landfalling storm between Monday and Wednesday.”
A Complex Forecast: The ‘Tug of War’ Effect
Adding complexity to the forecast is the presence of Hurricane Humberto, hundreds of miles to the east. Humberto is expected to rapidly strengthen into the season’s third major hurricane as it tracks between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast.
The track of the emerging storm will be determined by a “meteorological tug of war,” DaSilva explained.
- Scenario 1 (Humberto Dominates): If the powerful Hurricane Humberto has more influence, it could pull the emerging storm further east, away from the U.S. coast. Impacts would be largely limited to heavy downpours, rough surf, and rip currents.
- Scenario 2 (Upper Low Dominates): If a high-altitude area of low pressure over the Southeast U.S. has more influence, it may pull the emerging storm directly toward the coast. This scenario would bring an increased risk of expansive, prolonged heavy rain and flooding, as well as damaging winds, particularly in the Carolinas.
Regardless of a landfall, AccuWeather has high confidence in a heavy rainfall threat extending from Georgia through the Carolinas as tropical moisture is drawn northward. Coastal areas are also at risk for storm surge and gusty winds.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Humberto is forecast to bring gusty winds and several inches of rain to Bermuda. Both storms are expected to create dangerous rough surf and rip currents along much of the East Coast starting Sunday.
AccuWeather experts are strongly encouraging people and businesses in the Southeast U.S. to check and restock emergency kits and review local evacuation zones and routes now, before the dual tropical threats approach.
READ: Double Trouble In The Atlantic: Southeast US On Alert As Two Storms Swirl
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