Tropical Storms Humberto and Imelda: Trackers See Storm’s Path Causing Problems for Southeast U.S. Homeowners 

Tropical Storms Humberto and Imelda are now under close watch in the Atlantic as both systems show strong potential to intensify into hurricanes and affect homeowners from Florida to New England. 

While forecasters are still working on solid trajectory models, according to The Weather Channel, the storms could pose threats to the Southeast U.S., the Bahamas, and Bermuda in the coming days.

Humberto, also known as Invest 93L by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), is located several hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands and could strengthen quickly, with models suggesting hurricane formation by early next week near Bermuda. 

Imelda, or Invest 94L, is moving through Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with heavy rainfall and is expected to develop near the Bahamas by this weekend. The NHC is preparing reconnaissance flights to investigate the system as of Wednesday.

While it remains too early to know the full impact, some models suggest that Humberto could reach hurricane status in time to affect the Southeast U.S. coast from Florida to North Carolina early next week.

But even if neither system makes landfall in the U.S., homeowners along the Eastern Seaboard should be prepared for the likeliness of onshore winds, dangerous high surf, and coastal flooding. 

Recap of the hurricane season so far

The 2025 season has already been active with multiple named storms making impacts across the Atlantic Basin. Hurricane Erin was the first major storm, bringing destructive winds and flooding rains along parts of the Southeast U.S., primarily in North Carolina, before curving back out into the Atlantic.

Hurricane Gabrielle followed Erin with a forceful path, causing widespread disruption in the Caribbean before brushing close to Bermuda. Its heavy rainfall and strong storm surge generated high surf and dangerous rip currents along parts of the U.S. East Coast from North Carolina to New England.

Now, with Humberto and Imelda lining up, the season shows no sign of slowing down. Homeowners across the East Coast and island communities remain on alert.

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

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (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.

Still, experts say the likelihood of a more intense-than-typical hurricane season is 50%, down from 60% in May.

The agency expects 13 to 18 named storms with winds of at least 39 mph, of which five to nine could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher. Of those, two to five 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 earlier this year.

A 2025 hurricane risk report by Cotality found more than 33.1 million residential properties—with a combined reconstruction cost value (RCV) of $11.7 trillion—are at moderate or greater risk of sustaining damage from hurricane-force winds. Florida, Texas, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts top the list for homes at risk.

How to prepare for a hurricane before it makes landfall

The best defense is a good offense. While homeowners cannot control the path of a storm, preparation can provide peace of mind.

“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, of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety in Charlotte, NC.

Insurance companies often issue "binding restrictions" once a storm is in the forecast, halting new coverage until the threat passes. Securing coverage early—and maintaining an emergency savings buffer—helps households manage potential out-of-pocket costs.

"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."

Evacuation planning is equally essential.

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

With storms like Humberto and Imelda on the horizon, experts urge homeowners to take last-minute steps.

“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.