MIAMI – Forecasters predict Hurricane Humberto will create hazardous surf conditions for Bermuda and along the U.S. East Coast this week, while Tropical Storm Imelda is gaining strength near the Bahamas.
Humberto, classified as a powerful Category 4 hurricane on Monday morning in the Atlantic, has prompted a Tropical Storm Watch for Bermuda, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
As of 2 a.m. EDT, Humberto was positioned approximately 400 miles (645 kilometers) to the south-southwest of Bermuda, traveling northwest at 14 mph (22 kph) with winds reaching up to 140 mph (220 kph), as reported by the center.
The hurricane is anticipated to shift course gradually, picking up speed towards the east-northeast by late Tuesday or Wednesday. While Humberto’s strength might vary in the coming days, the storm is expected to remain a significant and dangerous hurricane for the next few days.
Imelda, which formed on Sunday, is strengthening slowly. Early Monday at 2 a.m. EDT, it was located about 130 miles (210 kilometers) northwest of the central Bahamas and around 315 miles (505 kilometers) southeast of Cape Canaveral in Florida’s Brevard County.
Imelda was moving north at 8 mph (13 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph), the center said.
Imelda threatens parts of Cuba and the Bahamas
On Sunday, the storm posed a threat to parts of Cuba and the Bahamas with its potential for heavy rain and flash floods, leading to a tropical storm warning for some regions of the Bahamas.
The Bahamas’ Department of Meteorology said moderate to heavy rains would continue over the northwest and central islands, including Nassau, Andros Island, San Salvador and Long Island. Rainfall could top between 6 inches (15 centimeters) and 12 inches (30 centimeters), with up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) in isolated spots.
“Residents in low-lying areas should take actions to mitigate property damages due to flooding,” the department said in a statement.
The usually busy streets and seaside of New Providence Island were deserted Sunday as light but constant rain started to flood roads. Choppy sea water and gusts also kept tourists and residents away from the popular Potter’s Cay Dock in Nassau.
Flights to and from the islands were canceled, with airports expected to reopen after weather conditions improve.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said Imelda could bring high winds, heavy rain, and flooding to his state, and authorities there were prepositioning search and rescue crews over the weekend.
“What we learn every time is we never know where they are going to go,” McMaster said at a news conference to discuss emergency preparations. “This storm is deadly serious. Not just serious. Deadly serious.”
In North Carolina, Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency even before Imelda formed.
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Frisaro reported from Miami. Associated Press writers Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, and Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this story.
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