Hurricane Imelda threatens Bermuda, kills two in Cuba and floods parts of the Bahamas; U.S. East Coast at risk
Tropical Storm Imelda, the ninth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic season, rapidly strengthened into a hurricane Tuesday with sustained winds near 75 mph and was forecast to pass near or over Bermuda by Wednesday as a possible Category 2 while moving northeast. Imelda has already killed at least two people in eastern Cuba, forced widespread evacuations and cut off communities, flooded parts of the Bahamas (closing schools and causing power outages), and is expected to bring heavy rain—up to 8 inches in Cuba and the Bahamas and 3–10 inches along parts of Florida and the Carolinas (1–2 inches inland)—and dangerous surf to the U.S. East Coast, prompting tropical-storm watches and warnings.
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🔍 Key Facts
- Imelda is the ninth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic season and formed Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
- Imelda was upgraded to a hurricane Tuesday; as of the latest reports it had maximum sustained winds near 75 mph and was located about 180 miles (290 km) north of Great Abaco Island, moving northeast at about 7 mph.
- Bermuda Weather Service warned Imelda could pass near or over Bermuda Wednesday afternoon and could be at or near Category 2 strength as it approaches the island.
- Tropical-storm warnings are in effect for parts of the central Bahamas (including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, etc.), and a tropical-storm watch is in place for Florida’s east coast from the Palm Beach–Martin County line north to the Flagler–Volusia County line.
- The Bahamas are already seeing on-the-ground impacts: New Providence experienced flooding, a majority of schools on affected islands were closed, government offices were shuttered on some islands, and power outages were reported.
- Cuba’s eastern provinces suffered serious impacts: at least two people were killed in Santiago de Cuba province from flooding and landslides, 17 communities were cut off, more than 24,000 people were affected in Santiago de Cuba, and over 18,000 people were evacuated in Guantánamo.
- Forecast rainfall and U.S. threat: Imelda was expected to bring up to 8 inches of rain to Cuba and the Bahamas and earlier forecasts held potential for 3–10 inches in parts of Florida and the eastern Carolinas; more recent projections narrowed U.S. impacts to heavy rain and dangerous surf mainly along the Carolina coastline (Charleston to Wilmington), with inland cities like Charlotte and Raleigh likely to see only modest amounts (around 1–2 inches).
📰 Sources (4)
Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda barrel toward Bermuda as the tiny island prepares
New information:
- Imelda was located about 180 miles (290 km) north of Great Abaco Island with max sustained winds of 75 mph and moving northeast at 7 mph.
- Bermuda Weather Service forecast that Imelda could pass near or over Bermuda on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 2 hurricane.
- Confirmed human toll and impacts: at least two people killed in eastern Cuba (Santiago de Cuba province), 17 communities cut off, more than 24,000 people affected in Santiago de Cuba, and over 18,000 evacuated in Guantánamo; New Providence (Bahamas) experienced flooding and multiple public schools remained closed.
Tracking Imelda as it strengthens into a hurricane in the Atlantic
New information:
- Imelda was upgraded to a hurricane on Tuesday morning.
- At least two deaths in eastern Cuba have been attributed to flooding and landslides from Imelda.
- CBS News meteorologist Rob Marciano is providing live tracking/coverage.
Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda threaten the Bahamas and Bermuda
New information:
- On-the-ground impacts in the Bahamas: majority of schools closed, government offices shuttered on affected islands, and reported power outages.
- Imelda’s immediate position and motion: about 10 miles SE of Great Abaco Island, moving north at 9 mph; forecast to become a hurricane on Tuesday before moving into open ocean.
- Projected U.S. impacts narrowed and quantified: moisture from Imelda expected to raise heavy-rain and dangerous surf risk along the Carolina coastline (Charleston to Wilmington), with inland cities like Charlotte and Raleigh likely to see only 1–2 inches.
Tropical Storm Imelda forms in the Atlantic, could threaten Southeast
New information:
- Imelda is the ninth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic season and formed Sunday, per the National Hurricane Center
- Forecast: expected to become a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday and bring up to 8 inches of rain to Cuba and the Bahamas and 3–10 inches to parts of Florida and the eastern Carolinas
- Warnings: tropical storm warning for Central Bahamas (Cat Island, Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, etc.); tropical storm watch for Florida's East Coast from the Palm Beach–Martin County line to the Flagler–Volusia County line