Tropical Storm Imelda Strengthens, Raising Alarms for Southeast U.S. Homeowners

Tropical Storm Imelda is expected to strengthen into the Atlantic’s next hurricane this week, bringing flooding concerns to parts of the southeastern U.S. coast.

While the storm is still tracking off shore, according to AccuWeather meteorologists, homeowners should prepare for heavy rain and storm surges could create localized flooding from Florida by Monday evening to North Carolina and southern Virginia by Tuesday night. The greatest risk of flooding will be along the immediate coasts of the Carolinas and Georgia.

An eastward shift in Imelda’s forecast path is being influenced by powerful Hurricane Humberto, which is tugging the system away from the coast, along with a surge of dry air from high pressure in the Northeast.

The latest predictions indicate Imelda will still bring 2–4 inches of rain to the Carolinas and 8–12 inches in parts of the Bahamas, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Reneé Duff.

Recap of the hurricane season so far

The 2025 hurricane season has already seen three storms reach hurricane strength, each leaving its mark on coastal communities. Hurricane Humberto became a major hurricane near Bermuda on Sunday, Sept. 28, and continues to impact weather patterns across the Atlantic, though it moved out to open waters just as Imelda began to pick up steam.

The duo of storms came a mere week after Hurricane Gabrielle, which tracked closer to the U.S. coast, delivering damaging winds and heavy rain before curving northward. Its remnants produced widespread inland flooding in the mid-Atlantic.

The first major storm of the season was Hurricane Erin brought destructive storm surge to parts of the Gulf Coast, overwhelming drainage systems and forcing emergency declarations in several counties. Erin’s rapid intensification highlighted the unpredictability of this year’s storms.

The 2025 hurricane season was predicted to be 'above normal'

The NOAA updated its 2025 hurricane season outlook—originally released in May—reaffirming its forecast for “above-normal” Atlantic hurricane activity before the season ends Nov. 30. NOAA experts say the likelihood of a more intense-than-typical hurricane season is 50%, down from 60% in May.

The agency expects 13–18 named storms with winds of at least 39 mph, of which 5–9 could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher. Of those, 2–5 could escalate to major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or more.

“As we witnessed last year with significant inland flooding from hurricanes Helene and Debby, the impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities,” acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm said in a NOAA report.

A 2025 hurricane risk report by Cotality, a data-driven tech company, found more than 33.1 million residential properties—with a combined reconstruction cost value (RCV) of $11.7T—are at moderate or greater risk of sustaining damage from hurricane-force winds.

Florida, Texas, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts are among the states with the highest number of homes and RCV at moderate or greater risk of hurricane wind damage.

How to prepare for a hurricane before it makes landfall

The best defense is preparation. While not all damage can be avoided, readiness steps can reduce losses and stress during hurricane season.

“Ideally, you'd get hurricane-ready in the months leading up to the start of hurricane season on June 1st. This is when you should gather water, nonperishable foods, and a go-bag of important documents and other necessities, like cash and prescription medications,” says Rachael Gauthier, meteorologist at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety in Charlotte, NC.

When a storm is forecast or approaching, insurance companies typically issue “binding restrictions,” meaning they stop issuing new policies or increasing coverage until the threat has passed. That’s why it’s critical to have coverage secured well in advance.

If you live in a hurricane zone, getting ideal coverage can be difficult. Emergency savings play a crucial role in covering costs not insured. “An emergency savings buffer is vital to being ready to cover unexpected costs,” advises Melanie Musson, an insurance expert at Clearsurance.com. “If a hurricane rips off your siding and you’re not covered by home insurance, your emergency savings can help you recover financially.”

Before disaster strikes, create an evacuation route and designate meeting places inside and outside your home.

“Everyone should have an evacuation plan, since there’s always a risk you’ll have to leave your home in a hurry,” says Musson.

Once a hurricane is confirmed to be headed your way, focus on fortifying your property and ensuring safety.

“A few days before incoming storms, it’s a good idea to board up windows, bring in outside items that could become flying projectiles in high winds, and stock up on extra fuel for generators and/or vehicles,” recommends Gauthier.