In brief
Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda are currently impacting the Caribbean, with Humberto expected to pass west of Bermuda and Imelda anticipated to bring heavy rain and winds to the region. Bermuda's minister warns the public to prepare for severe weather as Humberto generates dangerous swells affecting the East Coast of the U.S. Imelda has already caused fatalities in Cuba, highlighting the storms' destructive potential.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The outer bands of Hurricane Humberto have started to impact Bermuda as it approaches the island, accompanied by Hurricane Imelda which is following closely behind.
A hurricane watch is currently in effect for Bermuda, as forecasters warn of dangerous seas, robust winds, and heavy rainfall expected from both storms.
As of Tuesday, Humberto was approximately 275 miles (440 kilometers) west of Bermuda, classified as a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds reaching 100 mph (155 kph) and moving north-northwest at 17 mph (28 kph).
Forecasts suggest that Humberto will pass to the west and north of Bermuda on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, while Imelda could approach the island by Wednesday afternoon, also as a Category 2 hurricane, as indicated by the Bermuda Weather Service.
In addition, Imelda was spotted roughly 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of Great Abaco Island, with maximum sustained winds estimated at 75 mph (120 kph) and a north-easterly movement at 7 mph (11 kph).
Michael Weeks, Bermuda’s minister of national security, cautioned residents about an impending “serious week of weather,” urging them to prepare adequately.
Despite the challenges posed by the storms, Bermuda is equipped with strong concrete structures designed to withstand severe weather conditions.
Rainfall predictions suggest that Humberto may deliver up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain on the island while Imelda could contribute up to 4 inches (10 centimeters).
Further, Imelda's rainfall will extend to southeastern North Carolina, where flash flooding remains a significant risk.
Meanwhile, Humberto is causing dangerous swells across the northern Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and much of the U.S. East Coast.
In Cuba, Imelda has had tragic effects, with Prime Minister Manuel Marrero reporting two fatalities due to the storm, which also caused significant disruptions including landslides and flooding in affected communities.
As authorities assess the impacts, the situations in Bermuda and Cuba underscore the serious threat posed by these hurricanes.
