News Summary
Virginia is currently monitoring two tropical systems, Invest 94L and Humberto, which may bring flooding rain and strong winds. Invest 94L could impact the state by Monday, while Humberto is expected to strengthen but won’t make U.S. landfall. Residents are urged to prepare and stay informed as conditions evolve.
Virginia is currently facing potential impacts from two developing tropical systems in the Atlantic. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is actively monitoring the situation due to concerns about flooding rain and strong winds that may affect the region.
The first system, designated Invest 94L, is expected to be named Imelda once its wind speeds reach 39 mph. Currently, Invest 94L remains a weak system, making its future movement and intensity difficult to predict. Latest model forecasts suggest that the storm could impact Virginia by Monday morning, with a higher likelihood for effects on Monday evening or Tuesday. Meanwhile, the second tropical system, Humberto, is forecasted to strengthen into a major hurricane this weekend but is not expected to make landfall in the U.S. Instead, Humberto will likely pass between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast early next week.
Concerns have emerged over a “meteorological tug of war” between Invest 94L and Humberto, which could affect the potential impact along the Southeast U.S. Three possible scenarios for Invest 94L have been identified. The system may either stay off the coast and turn northeast, make landfall as a tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane in South Carolina or extreme southern North Carolina on Monday night or early Tuesday, or stall just offshore of South Carolina, leading to prolonged wind, rain, and rough surf in the Carolinas.
In preparation for possible impacts, Virginia Beach is taking critical precautions, including staging high water and public safety vehicles and staffing the emergency call center. Construction sites are also being secured to mitigate wind damage. North Myrtle Beach, S.C., is putting similar measures in place; lifeguard towers have been removed, and residents are encouraged to review their emergency kits and plans.
Residents along the potentially impacted areas from Florida to Virginia are advised to stay alert to forecasts and prepare for tropical conditions. The ongoing rainfall from a cold front may also lead to excessive rainfall ahead of the approaching tropical systems, which adds to flood risks in the region.
Invest 94L is expected to strengthen as it approaches the Bahamas, potentially generating heavy rainfall that could cause flash flooding in the southern Mid-Atlantic and coastal Georgia. The National Hurricane Center has cautioned about the risks of flash and urban flooding in areas exposed to these tropical disturbances.
As of now, Humberto has rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds reaching up to 145 mph and expected to peak at 160 mph. Even though Humberto’s path remains uncertain, it has the potential to influence the trajectory of Invest 94L significantly. Therefore, predictions indicate that areas from Florida to Virginia should remain vigilant given the proximity and developments of these storms.
The situation is evolving, and residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepared as predictions and forecasts continue to develop in the coming days.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Savannah Addresses Climate Risks Ahead of Hurricane Season
Additional Resources
- Washington Post: Hurricane Imelda Update
- USA Today: Humberto Hurricane Forecast
- ABC News: Tropical Storm Humberto
- WXII: Twin Tropical Storms Humberto and Imelda
- Augusta Free Press: Hurricane Expert Advice
- Wikipedia: Tropical Cyclone
- Google Search: Tropical Storm Preparedness
- Google Scholar: Tropical Storms Effects
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane
- Google News: Hurricane Imelda
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
