A tropical weather system in the Atlantic Ocean developed into Tropical Storm Imelda on Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm is currently situated about 370 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, with maximum sustained winds reaching 40 mph as of Sunday afternoon. Forecasters expect Imelda to strengthen and potentially become a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday.
The NHC reported that the storm is moving north at approximately 7 mph. Although its center is forecasted to remain offshore, officials warn that heavy rainfall and strong winds could still affect the southeastern coast of the United States. “The size of the wind field will likely increase early/mid next week as storm slows down, then moves eastward,” stated the National Weather Service in South Carolina.
Florida’s east coast was under a tropical storm watch on Sunday due to anticipated rainfall and gusty conditions projected for areas southeast of the peninsula over the weekend. Tropical storm conditions may begin impacting Florida starting Monday. The coastal Carolinas could experience heavy rain leading to flash flooding through Wednesday, with expected rainfall between 2-4 inches. Depending on storm surge levels, water could rise up to 2 feet above ground from Florida’s Volusia/Brevard County line to South Carolina’s South Santee River.
In preparation for possible impacts, governors in North and South Carolina declared states of emergency in recent days. However, forecasters said they are increasingly confident that Imelda will make “an eastward turn off the Florida” coast and avoid making landfall in Georgia or other southeastern states.
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency predicted that eastern and coastal counties might receive 2-3 inches of rain between Monday and Wednesday but noted “minimal impacts on North and Central GA” as Imelda moves eastward. The National Weather Service in Atlanta added: “Current track would bring some isolated showers to the area Monday & Tuesday, with breezy easterly winds throughout the week.”
State agencies such as GEMA/HS have prepared resources including water, tarps, sandbags, and ready-to-eat meals for rapid deployment if needed. Governor Brian Kemp told reporters during an event in Savannah that authorities continue monitoring weather developments.
Tropical storm warnings were also issued for Cuba and the Bahamas due to risks of flash flooding and mudslides as Imelda’s center moved across those regions Sunday.
Last September saw Hurricane Helene make landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane—resulting in nearly 150 fatalities and causing $79 billion in damages across southeastern states according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Recovery efforts continue in parts of Georgia affected by last year’s historic hurricane.
“The size of the wind field will likely increase early/mid next week as storm slows down, then moves eastward,” said officials from NWS South Carolina.
“Current track would bring some isolated showers to the area Monday & Tuesday, with breezy easterly winds throughout the week,” added NWS Atlanta.
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