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Forecasters are monitoring Hurricane Imelda, which was a tropical storm and then became a Category 1 hurricane on Tuesday morning, Sept. 30, according to the National Hurricane Center.According to a 2 p.m. ET advisory on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from the NHC, the hurricane is located about 690 miles west-southwest of Bermuda.The advisory also states that the storm is moving east-northeast at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph toward Bermuda and away from the southeastern United States. Bermuda is under a hurricane warning as Imelda is expected to approach the island on Wednesday, Oct. 1.Hurricane Imelda trackerThis forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.Hurricane Imelda spaghetti modelsIllustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.Hurricane watches and warningsAs of 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 30, Bermuda was under a hurricane warning.While there are no tropical storm or hurricane watches placed on the U.S., there could be significant impacts in the U.S. as Hurricane Imelda and Hurricane Humberto create swells that could cause "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions" along the East Coast, according to the NHC.North Carolina can also expect heavy rainfall that could cause isolated flash and urban flooding through Tuesday night, Sept. 30.The swells will also affect the Bahamas.The NHC is also tracking Hurricane HumbertoHurricane Humberto, a Category 1, is not expected to make landfall in the U.S., according to the National Hurricane Center.The storm is spinning around 300 miles west of Bermuda, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, moving north-northwest at 18 mph.How do hurricanes form?Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reach 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.Prepare now for hurricanesDelaying potentially lifesaving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.Develop an evacuation plan. If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.Assemble disaster supplies. Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering in place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for a possibly lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions. Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance don’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for those. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program.Create a family communication plan. NOAA says you should take the time now to write down a hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.Strengthen your home. Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass, and seal outside wall openings.This story has been updated with new information.Contributing: Gabe Hauari, USA TODAYJulia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers all things Labubu and Pop Mart, scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
