Most schools in the Bahamas were closed on Monday due to heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Imelda, which has been impacting the northern Caribbean.
The storm is situated roughly 165 miles (270 km) north of the Bahamas, near Great Abaco Island, which is still in recovery mode after being hit by Hurricane Dorian in 2019 when it was a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane.
With maximum sustained winds at 70 mph (110 km/h) and moving northeast at 7 mph (11 km/h), forecasters from Miami’s National Hurricane Center predict it could become a hurricane by Tuesday morning before drifting out into open waters.
Warnings for tropical storms in parts of the northwestern Bahamas—like Great Abaco and Grand Bahama Island—were lifted early Tuesday.
There have been reports of power outages in some regions, and authorities closed off government agencies on affected islands, issuing evacuation orders over the weekend.
Deaths and Evacuations in Cuba
Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marello announced that two people lost their lives late Monday due to Imelda’s impact on eastern Cuba. Marello mentioned that the fatalities occurred in Santiago de Cuba, but didn’t provide further specifics.
Earlier reports from state media noted that a 60-year-old man, Luis Mario Perez Cotelou, died in Santiago following a landslide.
According to the official newspaper Granma, floods and landslides in Santiago de Cuba have isolated 17 communities, affecting more than 24,000 residents.
In Guantanamo, another province hit by the storm, over 18,000 people have been evacuated, as per a report from state-run Caribbean TV.
Imelda is projected to bring 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) of rain to the northwest Bahamas until Tuesday, and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) to eastern Cuba.
Hurricane Humberto Weakens
Meanwhile, Hurricane Humberto has weakened to a Category 2 storm in open waters. Forecasters note that Imelda is expected to veer northeast, away from the southeastern U.S. coast.
Alex Dasilva, a lead hurricane expert at AccuWeather, remarked that this shift could prevent “truly devastating rainfall” from reaching the U.S.
He described the interactions of the two storms as a rare occurrence in the Atlantic Basin, calling it the Fujisui Effect.
Humberto had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and was located about 275 miles (440 km) west of Bermuda, moving north-northwest at 17 mph (28 km/h). There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Carolina Prepares for Rain
The moisture from Imelda is anticipated to bring heavy rain to the Carolinas until Tuesday morning. Coastal areas, particularly from Charleston, South Carolina, to Wilmington, North Carolina, may experience the heaviest rains, while cities like Charlotte and Raleigh could see just 1-2 inches (3-5 cm).
Winds gusting up to 40 mph are expected along the coast. Dasilva has cautioned about dangerous surfing conditions and strong rip currents.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster reported that search and rescue teams were deployed over the weekend.
In North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency ahead of Imelda’s formation, while officials on Tybee Island in Georgia distributed free punching bags to residents.
Though Imelda had yet to make landfall in Florida, its effects were still noticeable.
At Loggerhead Marine Life Center in Juno Beach, teams spotted several turtle hatchlings in the rough surf.
Justin Perot, the center’s vice president of research, noted, “We got two washbacks over the weekend. I might get more as the day progresses.”
He explained that the center commonly handles hatching turtles, particularly when rough seas bring them ashore.
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Carl Alexandre was working out on the beach and expressed relief that the storm wasn’t headed toward South Florida, although he, like many, said he would keep those affected in the Bahamas in his thoughts.
“It’s fantastic that we’re in the clear,” he said. “Now we can enjoy the sun in Florida.”
Bermuda Braces for Impact
Bermuda officials are concerned as they expect both storms could pass close to the island later in the week, possibly within 15 miles (24 km). Dasilva described the situation as a “double whammy” for Bermuda.
National Security Minister Michael Weeks urged residents to prepare, referencing the numerous close calls the area has faced so far this storm season.
“Hurricane Humberto is a dangerous storm and another system is developing to the south. Every household should take the necessary measures to get ready,” he advised.
Air travel to and from the Bahamas is expected to be canceled, but operations should resume once weather conditions improve.
