Charlotte urged to stay alert to possible Hurricane Imelda in the tropics
Charlotte should stay alert to a tropical disturbance near Cuba expected to become Hurricane Imelda, a National Weather Service forecaster said Friday.
Much uncertainty remained Friday as to the track of disturbance 94L, meteorologist Andrew Kimball of the NWS office in Greer, South Carolina, told The Charlotte Observer around 11:30 a.m. Friday.
If the disturbance “keeps drifting toward the Carolinas, it would impact Charlotte Monday to Tuesday,” Kimball said.
The storm could arrive later if it slows or stalls, he said.
Hurricane chances in the Carolinas grew later Friday.
“The system is expected to be at or near hurricane intensity when it approaches the U.S. southeast coast early next week, where there is a risk of storm surge and wind impacts,” National Hurricane Center officials said in a 5 p.m. storm update.
Heavy rainfall threatens coastal Georgia and the Carolinas, National Hurricane Center officials said in a storm update at 5 p.m Friday.
The storm “could cause flash, urban and river flooding,” Hurricane Center officials said.
Due to rain and thunderstorms forecast over the weekend, the Concord International Festival was rescheduled for noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, in the city’s downtown.
Other Atlantic storm no longer a threat, NWS says
Tropical Storm Humberto, meanwhile, is no longer forecast to impact the Charlotte area, Kimball said.
Humberto was expected to become “a major hurricane” Friday or Saturday, National Hurricane Center officials said on social media site X. Hurricane Center maps, however, showed the storm veering well to the east and northeast of the Carolinas next week.
A batch of showers and thunderstorms near Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands and eastern Cuba on Friday morning is expected to strengthen into a tropical depression in the Bahamas over the weekend, according to the Hurricane Center.
The disturbance is then forecast to tract northwestward over the southwestern Atlantic, officials said.
Although “considerable uncertainty” remains regarding the track of the disturbance, “there is a significant risk of wind, rainfall and storm surge impacts for a portion of the U.S. southeast coast early next week,” according to the National Hurricane Center.
The disturbance has an 80% to 90% chance of forming into a storm, National Hurricane Center forecasters said just before noon Friday.
Preparing for the storm
Forecasters said now is a good time to prepare for a hurricane, whether Imelda reaches the Carolinas or not.
“Time to dust off your hurricane plans and emergency kits just in case,” NWS meteorologists said on X.
Cover windows and secure doors and loose items, the NWS said. Know where to shelter and “ready your go-bag” of meds and supplies. Charge your phone and fill up your car gasoline tank.
This is a developing story.
This story was originally published September 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM.