Hurricane Tracker Update: Category 5 Humberto, With Imelda Threatening the U.S. Coast and More Storms Moving Across the Atlantic

No one expected the Humberto hurricane system to grow this rapidly into a Category 5 hurricane. With winds of 160 miles per hour, Humberto is one of the largest storms this season, causing guests to predict that this storm will pass the U.S. mainland. This storm is large enough to cause a hurricane.

Hurricane affected coastal communities, especially those that are East Coast, are getting ready for storm related large swells, unsafe surf, and dangerous hurricane rip currents. These storm conditions cause extreme erosion of beaches, and floods in areas of low land. This will also cause major problems to shiproute.

Important Information on Hurricane Humberto

According to Hurricane Tracker, Humberto is an example of how quickly a storm can gain strength. This situation is worrying for communities that may not have enough time to get ready if another storm is coming close to land.

Potentially Tropical Depression Nine to Imelda

While Humberto is still in the headlines, Tropical Depression Nine is also getting a lot of attention. Located to the North of Cuba the system is going to Florida. Even though it may not curve directly into Florida, the Florida coast is under a tropical watch because it is so close to the storm.

The greater issue is that the storm is expected to become much stronger. Current predictions show Imelda may gain hurricane strength in a few days, putting Florida and the coast of SC and NC at risk.

Potential impacts from Imelda

• Rain with a risk of flash flooding in low-lying areas.

• There may be strong winds and possible power outages.

• Possible dangerous seas along the eastern seaboard.

• There may be last-minute adjustments potentially bringing the storm closer to the coast.

Preparing early is always better than being unprepared.

Multiple Storm Systems

Hurricane Tracker is not just tracking Humberto and Imelda. There are many tropical systems to deal with. Gabrielle is even a powerful hurricane heading northeast toward the Azores. There are more systems behind Gabrielle like tropical Invest 94L which could develop into a named storm in the next few days.

This time of year is the most common time to cluster tropical systems. Warmer ocean water, in combination with appropriate atmospheric conditions, will cause rapid cyclone developments. This means the season is far from over.

Why People Living Near the Coast Should be Cautious

Just because a storm "is not forecasted to make landfall" does not mean it will not result in damage. History shows that storms that pass offshore only result in damage because of rip currents, storm surge, and flash flooding.

Those in vulnerable areas, especially Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Bermuda, should keep evacuation routes and emergency supplies handy. It is recommended that people only monitor the National Hurricane Center every six hours.

What the Next 72 Hours Could Look Like

Using the most recent Hurricane Tracker, the following scenarios should be monitored:

1. The anticipation of Imelda’s strength and track: Will it strengthen and approach the coast of Florida or the Carolinas?

2. The stability of Humberto: The current peak strength of the storm and the subsequent shift eastward will alter the risk.

3. The development of new systems: The conditions for the formation of new tropical systems in the Atlantic basin have not changed.

4. The prediction of rainfall totals: The flooding risk that will most likely affect the Southeast will be due to lack of a direct strike.---