Humberto strengthens as East Coast braces for potential double-storm threat

Hurricane Humberto strengthened to a Category 1 storm Friday morning, with maximum sustained winds exceeding 75 mph, as forecasters warned it could reach major hurricane status by Saturday afternoon while tracking toward the East Coast. The National Hurricane Center said Humberto is expected to intensify to at least Category 3 with winds above 110 mph and could hold that intensity into at least Tuesday as it nears the mid-Atlantic states, including South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Most forecast models indicate Humberto will remain offshore and pass away from the United States, but a handful of tracks show the possibility of a direct hit on parts of the Carolinas or Virginia. The center cautioned that track forecasts remain uncertain several days out, and residents from the Southeast to the mid-Atlantic should monitor advisories closely.

Separately, a second tropical cyclone is likely to form within the next two days near Florida, potentially becoming Tropical Storm Imelda. The system, currently identified as Invest 94L, is developing in the Caribbean between Cuba and the Dominican Republic and had an 80 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone by Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said. If Imelda forms, models project landfall in the Southeast United States next week—Florida, Georgia, or the Carolinas.

Forecasters warn that Humberto and Imelda could interact in what is known as the Fujiwhara effect, a rare phenomenon in which two nearby storms orbit a common center. The two storms were about 600 miles apart on Thursday, well within the 900-mile threshold for interaction. If they approach, Imelda could be drawn into Humberto or alter both tracks, potentially creating a larger, more unpredictable system.

Chad Merrill, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, noted that when storms interact there is a heightened risk of severe rainfall and flooding along the Southeast and Carolinas if Imelda forms and merges with Humberto. He warned that flooding could be especially pronounced in South Carolina and North Carolina.

Entering the weekend, forecasters emphasized that the East Coast remains within peak hurricane season, which lasts through mid-October. The 2025 season’s most powerful storm thus far has been Erin, a Category 5 hurricane that delivered surges and flooding to parts of the East Coast even without making landfall.

Officials urged residents and travelers to track official advisories, prepare emergency plans, and heed evacuations or shelter-in-place orders as necessary.