Tropical Storm Imelda prompts Hurricane Watch in Bermuda as deadly storm spins off Southeast coast
Imelda’s torrential rain and dangerous coastal conditions have already contributed to at least two storm-related deaths as the tropical storm moved across portions of Cuba and the Bahamas on a path that brought it toward the Southeast.
Tropical Storm Imelda strengthening in Atlantic as Bermuda braces for impact
A Hurricane Watch has been issued in Bermuda as Tropical Storm Imelda continues to gain strength as it spins off the southeastern U.S. coast. FOX Weather Meteorologist Craig Herrera breaks down the latest forecast on Sept. 30, 2025.
Imelda strengthened into a hurricane on Tuesday morning, and coverage continues by clicking here.
MIAMI – A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for Bermuda in advance of potential impacts from Tropical Storm Imelda, which is forecast to become a hurricane on Tuesday as the storm meanders off the southeastern U.S. coast.
LIVE IMELDA TRACKER: SPAGHETTI PLOTS, FORECAST CONES FOR TROPICAL STORM IMELDA
Florida feeling the effects from Tropical Storm Imelda
Despite not making landfall in the U.S., the effects from Tropical Storm Imelda are being felt along the coast in Florida. FOX Weather Meteorologist Michael Estime has the latest on the conditions from Melbourne Beach on Sept. 30, 2025.
Imelda’s torrential rain and dangerous coastal conditions have already contributed to at least two storm-related deaths as the tropical storm moved across portions of Cuba and the Bahamas on a path that brought it toward the Southeast.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, a 51-year-old man from "out of state" drowned after he was pulled out into the Atlantic Ocean by a rip current and couldn’t make it back to shore.
Watch: Waves crash onto Melbourne Beach as impacts from Tropical Storm Imelda slam Florida
A video shared by FOX Weather Meteorologist Michael Estime shows waves crashing onshore in Melbourne Beach, Florida, as Tropical Storm Imelda spins offshore.
Rip currents are a major concern this week due to Tropical Storm Imelda, as well as Hurricane Humberto spinning in the Atlantic. Both storms are kicking up massive waves, leading to rip currents at beaches along the East Coast.
In Cuba, a 60-year-old man in Santiago died after torrential rain led to a landslide, causing the man’s home to collapse while he slept, according to local media and first responders.
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As of the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Storm Imelda has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph with some higher gusts, and strengthening is expected in the coming days.
The NHC said Tropical Storm Imelda is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane later Tuesday and could become a Category 2 hurricane by Thursday morning.
Tropical Storm Imelda is currently located about 750 miles west-southwest of Bermuda.
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The tropical storm is moving off to the northeast at 7 mph. That general motion is expected to continue on Tuesday, followed by a turn to the east-northeast at a faster forward speed by Tuesday night.
Those photos are showing the showers off the coast of Melbourne Beach in far outer bands of Imelda.
(Jarrod Maloney/FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
On that forecast track, Tropical Storm Imelda should continue to move away from the Bahamas on Tuesday and quickly approach Bermuda by late Wednesday, where a Hurricane Watch remains in effect.
The NHC said that tropical storm conditions are possible in Bermuda on Wednesday afternoon, and hurricane conditions are possible by Wednesday night.
ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON PULLS OFF FEAT NOT SEEN IN 90 YEARS
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The good news is that Tropical Storm Imelda isn’t forecast to make landfall in the U.S., but preparations began over the weekend in many areas just in case.
States of emergency were declared, and the National Guard was deployed in North Carolina in advance of potential impacts.
High Surf Advisory is in effect in Folly Beach, South Carolina, as Tropical Storm Imelda creates life-threatening rip currents and potentially 12-foot waves
FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel is in Folly Beach, South Carolina, tracking Tropical Storm Imelda as the Southeast coast braces for potentially 12-foot waves and life-threatening rip currents.
The North Carolina National Guard said it had activated 389 personnel and 134 vehicles and aircraft, including aviation and high-water rescue assets due to the threats from Tropical Storm Imelda.
Officials said many assets in the eastern part of the state had been positioned in Elizabethtown, Kinston, Williamston and Edenton, with others being positioned in Greensboro, Raleigh, Louisburg and Burlington.
Forces had also been sent to western North Carolina, including Asheville, Morganton and Charlotte.
Tropical Storm Imelda expected to blow past the Carolina Coast
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray reports from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where people in the area are feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Imelda.
A state of emergency had been declared in South Carolina, and many communities were taking local precautions. That state of emergency has since been lifted.
"With Tropical Storm Imelda turning away from our coast over the weekend, I have lifted the State of Emergency as Team South Carolina returns to normal operations," South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said. "We will continue to monitor this storm, but we are fortunate to have avoided its worst impacts. Hurricane season is still upon us, and we will remain ready to respond to any storm that may threaten our state."
The City of Charleston in South Carolina announced a local state of emergency Saturday, clearing storm drains, lowering water levels, prepositioning water pumps and bringing in extra staff.
Tropical Storm Imelda expected to intensify into a hurricane by midweek
FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne reports from the beach at Tybee Island, Georgia, as gusty winds and rough surf begin to strengthen amid Tropical Storm Imelda.
Conway, South Carolina, declared a local state of emergency ahead of the storm, and Folly Beach, South Carolina, closed its City Hall on Friday.
In terms of rainfall, about 1-2 inches of rain is possible, with locally higher amounts of up to 4 inches, across coastal areas of southeastern North Carolina.
That, the NHC said, could result in isolated flash and urban flooding.
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As Imelda passes Bermuda, the NHC said 2-4 inches of rain could fall from Wednesday to Thursday.
In addition to rain, coastal flooding is possible in areas of onshore winds across the southeastern U.S.
That water could reach 1-2 feet above high tide in coastal areas from the Volusia/Bervard County line in Florida northward to the South Santee River, South Carolina.
Swells generated by both Tropical Storm Imelda and Hurricane Humberto have been impacting the Bahamas and are spreading across much of the U.S. East Coast.
Those swells are leading to life-threatening surf and deadly rip currents.
Imelda blasts Bahamas with flooding rain, gusty winds
Watch: Tropical Storm Imelda causes flooding in the Bahamas
A video shared from Dundas Town in the Bahamas shows streets that were flooded due to the torrential rain caused by Tropical Storm Imelda as the storm barreled across the islands on Monday.
Tropical Storm Imelda blasted portions of the Bahamas with gusty winds and flooding rain on Monday.
A video shared from Dundas Town shows streets that were flooded as the tropical storm moved over the region.
In addition, the Archdiocese of Nassau said all Catholic schools in the Bahamas would be closed Monday due to tropical storm conditions.
"We continue to pray for the safety of everyone affected by the storm," officials said in a Facebook post. "May God continue to bless and keep you."
It's been a busy few weeks in the Atlantic with Hurricane Gabrielle first, and now Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda are ongoing simultaneously several hundred miles apart.
The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.