Tropical Storm Imelda Bringing Rough Surf, Rip Currents Despite Turning Away From Space Coast

As of Monday afternoon, Imelda was located about 220 miles east of Cape Canaveral

BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Tropical Storm Imelda is expected to spare the U.S. mainland a direct strike this week. However, forecasters warn the system will still unleash dangerous conditions along the Space Coast.

As of Monday afternoon, Imelda was located about 220 miles east of Cape Canaveral, with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph while moving north at 9 mph.

Instead of barreling into the Southeastern states as feared late last week, the storm is now forecast to take a hard right turn and veer eastward—thanks in part to the influence of powerful Hurricane Humberto, spinning west of Bermuda, and a strong area of high pressure anchored over the Northeast.

Meteorologists say the unusual weather interaction is an example of the Fujiwhara Effect, when two tropical systems come close enough to affect each other’s paths.

“Humberto is helping tug Imelda out to sea,” explained AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. “For a time, the two storms may be within 600 miles of each other—close enough for some interaction but far enough to keep either from driving into the U.S. coast.”

Even without a direct landfall, Imelda’s impact will be felt along the 72 miles of Brevard County beaches.

Forecasters caution that rough surf, rip currents, and minor coastal flooding are expected to persist throughout the week. Persistent northeast winds, generated by the combined pressure systems, are expected to push seawater inland, raising tide levels and flooding low-lying areas along barrier islands and bays from Florida through the Mid-Atlantic.

Heavy bands of rain are also possible along the Florida coast through Tuesday, raising the threat of isolated flash flooding. Wind gusts topping 40 to 60 mph may graze some shoreline communities before the storm turns away.

Offshore, shipping traffic and cruise vessels face the most extreme conditions. Wave heights near Hurricane Humberto could exceed 40 feet, with the swell radiating toward the East Coast in the form of pounding surf.

While the U.S. avoids the worst, Bermuda may not be as fortunate. The island chain is bracing for back-to-back storms, first enduring Humberto’s outer bands and then potentially facing a direct hit from Imelda later this week if the system strengthens into a hurricane.

Meteorologists warn that although Imelda is expected to curve east, tropical development remains a risk for the western Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico in the weeks ahead. “Late-season systems can form quickly, leaving little time to prepare,” DaSilva cautioned.

For now, beachgoers along the East Coast of Florida are urged to stay out of rough surf and heed local warnings, as conditions will remain dangerous even without a landfall.

Similar Stories