Article first published: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, 4 a.m. ET
System type: Tropical storm
System name: Imelda
The National Hurricane Center’s 4 a.m. Tuesday update reported that Tropical Storm Imelda is in the Atlantic Ocean, 165 miles north of Great Abaco Island and 755 miles west-southwest of Bermuda. The system, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, is moving northeast at 7 mph.
Imelda is expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday.
Yesterday (Monday)
Imelda shifted course away from The Bahamas and targeted Atlantic Ocean.
Watches and warnings currently in effect
• Hurricane Watch for Bermuda
Meaning of the different watches and warnings
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.
A Hurricane Warning could be required later today for Bermuda.
Hazards affecting land
Wind. Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area by Wednesday night, with tropical storm conditions possible by Wednesday afternoon.
Rainfall. Storm total rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches with local maxima of 4 inches are expected through tonight across coastal sections of southeast North Carolina. This rainfall could result in isolated flash and urban flooding.
As Imelda passes near Bermuda, 2 to 4 inches – 50 to 100 mm – of rainfall is expected from Wednesday into Thursday.
Storm surge. Minor coastal flooding is possible in areas of onshore winds over the Southeastern U.S. coastline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the surge occurs over the next several high tide cycles…
Volusia/Brevard County Line, Florida to the South Santee River, South Carolina…1 to 2 ft
Surf. Swells generated by Tropical Storm Imelda and Hurricane Humberto are affecting the Bahamas and are currently spreading to much of the U.S. east coast. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found at: hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?ripCurrents
Source: National Hurricane Center