First Tropical Storm Alerts Issued As Future Hurricane Imelda Strengthens

Tropical storm watches have been issued for the eastern Florida coast and the entire state of South Carolina has declared a state of emergency as Tropical Depression Nine is strengthening to eventually become Hurricane Imelda. The U.S. Southeast could see heavy rain, strong winds and flooding threats.

Originally Invest 94L and Potential Tropical Cyclone 9, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) redesignated the system as Tropical Depression Nine after it reached sustained winds of 35 mph and formed a tropical core. (RELATED: State Of Emergencies Issued For Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Ahead Of Potential Hurricane)

With the storm continuing to strengthen throughout the weekend, a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Florida that extends from the Palm Beach/Martin County line up to the line of Flagler/Volusia County.

It’s not expected that Florida will see direct landfall, but it could experience tropical storm force winds Monday as soon-to-be Imelda will be very close to the east coast of the state, according to the NHC.

11 am EDT – System becomes Tropical Depression Nine just north of eastern Cuba. Tropical Storm Watch issued for portions of the east coast of Florida. Here are the Key Messages. Visit https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ for updates. pic.twitter.com/i5HyJ43Tdh

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 27, 2025

Tropical Depression Nine is located around the southeastern Bahamas and eastern Cuba, and has 35 mph winds. It’s moving northwest at 7 mph.

When the system reaches winds of 40 mph, it will officially be named Tropical Storm Imelda, which is forecasted to happen either Saturday night or Sunday morning, per the NHC.

Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for the Bahamas.