MIAMI – The U.S. East Coast is on high alert as a developing weather system, currently designated as Tropical Depression Nine, is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda and potentially reach hurricane strength by early next week, threatening the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia. As of Sunday, September 28, 2025, the system was causing disruptions in the Bahamas and nearby islands, prompting significant preparedness measures across the southeastern United States.
Imelda’s Projected Path and Intensity
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami reported that Tropical Depression Nine, located approximately 100 miles west-southwest of the Central Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, was moving north-northwest at 7 mph on Sunday morning. The system is expected to track northward across the central and northwestern Bahamas throughout Sunday and into Monday, intensifying into Tropical Storm Imelda later today or early Monday. By late Monday or Tuesday, Imelda is forecast to become a hurricane, potentially a Category 1 storm, as it approaches the Southeast U.S. coast.
While the exact track and intensity remain under close monitoring, current projections suggest Imelda could make landfall or move very close to the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina early in the week. The storm is anticipated to bring significant impacts, including heavy rainfall, gusty winds, potential flooding, and dangerous surf conditions along the coast due to swells generated by both Imelda and Hurricane Humberto. Swells are expected to begin affecting the U.S. East Coast on Monday, posing a life-threatening surf and rip current risk.
Governors Declare States of Emergency
In response to the impending threat, state leaders have taken proactive measures. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster urged residents to monitor weather information closely and stay alert, declaring a state of emergency and emphasizing the storm’s serious nature. The declaration aims to ensure that state resources and personnel are mobilized to prepare for and respond to the storm. Governor McMaster stated, “While the storm’s arrival, speed, and intensity remain hard to predict, we do know that it will bring significant wind, heavy rainfall, and flooding across the entire state of South Carolina”.
Similarly, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency in advance of Tropical Depression Nine, citing the potential for heavy rainfall and flooding. This declaration empowers state agencies to deploy swift water rescue teams, search and rescue units, the National Guard, and law enforcement to support local response efforts. The declaration allows the state to activate its emergency response team and mobilize resources to prepare for potential impacts.
Hurricane Humberto and Other Systems
Meanwhile, Hurricane Humberto continues to be a powerful major hurricane in the Atlantic, currently a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. Although Humberto is not expected to directly impact the U.S. mainland, its presence may influence the track of Imelda. Humberto is forecast to pass west of Bermuda by Tuesday evening.
Tropical Depression Nine has also been causing heavy rainfall and flash flooding in parts of Cuba and the Bahamas, with tropical storm warnings in effect for the central and northwestern islands. In the Pacific, swells from Tropical Storm Narda are affecting coastal Mexico and Baja California Sur, with potential for hazardous surf conditions in Southern California.
Hurricane Season Context
This developing situation occurs amidst an anticipated above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, with forecasts predicting between 13 and 18 named storms and 5 to 9 hurricanes. Residents along the Southeast coast are urged to monitor official weather alerts, follow instructions from local emergency officials, and prepare emergency kits as the news unfolds. The trajectory and intensity of Imelda are still being closely watched, making timely preparation crucial for coastal communities.
