The storm system near the Bahamas is expected to be strengthened to tropical storm Imelda on September 28th.
The rare double storm of Humbel Aimelda causes a hurricane risk in the US
A rare weather setup has been formed in the Atlantic Ocean, with two tropical systems likely to develop dangerously close to each other early next week.
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Tropical depression is heading northwest across the Atlantic on September 28th, potentially threatening parts of the US southeastern coast soon, leading to sufficient rainfall to cause flash floods, predictors said.
The system is expected to be strengthened by the Tropical Storm Imelda by the evening, allowing it to reach hurricane status briefly on Monday or Tuesday before it becomes weaker again. Approaching the US early in the week, it is possible that the hurricane strength is or near, but it is too early to say what the storm will track and whether it will interact with the still strong Hurricane Hanbert, which is currently a Category 4 storm.
Imelda is looking at it with uncertainty and concern as it approaches the southeastern coast where accurate tracks are still unpredictable. While most models show storms staying off the coast of the US, the storm is expected to bring dangerous wave conditions and heavy rains to some southeastern states that could cause some examples of flash floods, the forecaster said.
The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm clock on September 29th, allowing tropical storm winds to be possible and on parts of Florida’s east coast.
As of the morning of September 28th, tropical depression was located 100 miles west-southwest of the Central Bahamas, moving north-northwest at a speed of 7 mph. The maximum sustained wind is nearly 35 mph, with high gusts.
Where is Tropical Depression 9 heading?
The storm, now known as Tropical Depression 9, is heading towards the north-northwest, with its centre expected to cross the central and north-west Bahamas in the day and night of September 28th to approach the southeast coast.
The storm is likely to move parallel from Florida’s east coast, according to the Hurricane Center. Imelda could stall as it arrives near the southeastern parts of the country, including Carolina and Georgia, weakens from September 29th to 30th. The prolonged amount in one area could spell extreme rainfall and potential flooding.
How much rain could it be in the southeast?
The weather forecasting center says 5-10 inches of rain could fall into the southeastern coast of Northern and South Carolina through the first few days of October. Higher totals could drop locally, leading to “scattered pockets of flash floods,” the Weather Forecast Center said.
From eastern Georgia to central Virginia, Accuweather meteorologists said the Carolina coast could be seen over 8 to 16 inches.
“Rainfall of this magnitude can lead to widespread, life-threatening flooding, especially if the storm slows or stalls,” Accuweather said.
See current storms in the Atlantic Ocean
This predicted track shows the most likely pathway in the center of the storm. The full width of the storm or its impact is not shown, and the storm center can move out of the cone for up to 33% of the time.
How do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes originate in the tropical regions above warm waters. Thunderstorm clusters can develop across the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are correct, clusters are swirling into tropical waves and storms known as tropical depression.
Tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm when its sustained wind speed reaches 39 mph. When the wind reaches 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Get ready for a hurricane now
Delaying preparations to potentially save lives could mean waiting until it’s too late. “Get disaster supply while the shelves are still in stock and flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period, so get that insurance inspection early,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.
- Establish an evacuation plan. If you are at risk from a hurricane, you will need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to plan where you will go and how you will get there.
- Assemble disaster supply. Whether you’re evacuated or not, you’ll need supplies not only to get through the storm, but perhaps for the long aftermath, NOAA said.
- Get an insurance inspection and document your property. Contact your insurance company or agent now to ask for an insurance inspection to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or replace your home or belongings. Remember that housing and tenant insurance doesn’t cover floods, so you’ll need individual insurance for them. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or through your national flood insurance program. Flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period, so take action now.
- Create a family communication plan. NOAA says you should take the time to write down your hurricane plans and share them with your family. Determine where family gatherings are to be met and include out-of-town locations in case of evacuation.
- It strengthens your home. Now is the time to improve the home’s ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim the wood and attach the storm shutter, accordion shutter and impact glass. Seal the wall opening.
