Savannah, GA – A strengthening tropical system is bearing down on the Southeast U.S. coast, where officials warn of a growing threat of flooding, storm surge, and damaging winds early next week.
The National Weather Service reported Saturday that heavy rainfall is likely from coastal Georgia through the Carolinas and into the southern Mid-Atlantic, raising the risk of flash, urban, and river flooding. At the same time, forecasters say the system approaching the U.S. coastline could be at or near hurricane strength when it makes landfall.
Two systems fueling storm threat
At 5 a.m. EDT, Hurricane Humberto was located near 22.3N 59.3W with maximum sustained winds of 125 knots and gusts up to 150 knots. The Category 4 storm is moving west at 5 knots and is expected to maintain its strength as it tracks toward Bermuda before curving northward by midweek.
Meanwhile, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine formed in the Atlantic east of the Bahamas. As of Saturday morning, it carried winds of 30 knots and was moving northwest at 6 knots. Forecasts show Nine gaining strength as it approaches the Florida coast late Sunday into Monday, with tropical storm conditions already expected offshore.
Tropical storm warnings in effect
A Tropical Storm Warning is in place for the Atlantic waters off Florida, with conditions expected to worsen through Sunday night. Winds may increase to 45–55 knots with seas building to nearly 30 feet offshore by Monday.
The National Weather Service urged residents from Georgia through the Carolinas to review their hurricane plans and remain alert to updates, stressing the possibility of storm surge and wind impacts along the coast.
Key Points
- Hurricane Humberto remains a powerful storm in the Atlantic with winds of 125 knots.
- Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is moving toward the U.S. Southeast coast, bringing a risk of flooding, surge, and strong winds.
- Tropical Storm Warnings are active offshore Florida, with dangerous seas expected to reach 28 feet by Monday.
The Southeast braces as two storms churn toward the U.S. coastline.