Tropical Storm Imelda Expected to Strengthen as East Coast Prepares

Tropical Storm Imelda has formed near the central Bahamas and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane early this week, potentially impacting the U.S. East Coast from South Carolina northward. The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm watches for parts of Florida's east coast and warnings for the Bahamas, with forecasters predicting 6 to 12 inches of rainfall, storm surges, and dangerous surf conditions along coastal areas. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein have urged residents to monitor the storm closely, with Stein declaring a state of emergency to facilitate quick response efforts. Meanwhile, Hurricane Humberto remains a powerful Category 4 storm in the Atlantic, threatening Bermuda but not expected to make landfall in the U.S. Imelda's path is expected to move east-northeastward away from the southeastern U.S. by midweek, though authorities caution the storm is "deadly serious" and preparations continue. The primary concerns with Imelda are high winds, heavy rain, and flooding risks for coastal and low-lying areas.