No threat to NC from Humberto, but keep an eye on Tropical Cyclone 9
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Hurricane Humberto reached Category 4 strength but poses no threat to NC coast.
- Forecasters monitor Tropical Cyclone 9 near Cuba, expected to become Imelda.
- Triangle region may see rain, but flash flood risks have decreased for weekend.
Update: Find the latest Humberto and Imelda coverage here.
Hurricane Humberto has strengthened to a Category 4 storm but will stay out to sea and miss North Carolina. Now all eyes are focused on the yet-unnamed Tropical Cyclone 9 and its uncertain path early next week.
Humberto moved northeast of the Leeward Islands on Saturday but remained “too far east” for any coastal impact, said Dan Leins, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Raleigh.
But forecasters are keeping a close eye on the tropical cyclone off Cuba, likely to build to tropical storm strength and take the name Imelda. That “disturbance” was gathering strength and moving northwest, but early predictions have the center of the storm failing short of the North Carolina coast.
“The elephant in the room, all the discussion right now, is what happens with that tropical storm,” Leins said. “We’re still kind of waiting. I do think we will see some rainfall across the area regardless of where that storm goes.”
At 11 a.m. Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said while the center of storm may remain offshore, it will be felt in North Carolina.
“There is a significant threat of heavy rainfall early next week from coastal Georgia through the Carolinas and into the southern mid-Atlantic states, which could cause flash, urban and river flooding,” it wrote.
Despite the improving forecast, Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency Saturday afternoon ahead of the storm. The state is readying swift water rescue teams, search-and-rescue task forces and the National Guard, should they be needed.
“North Carolinians across the state should prepare for tropical weather to bring heavy rainfall and potential flooding,” Stein said in a written statement. “Forecasts remain uncertain, so it’s important that North Carolinians get prepared now, have emergency kits ready, and listen to local emergency guidance to stay safe and informed.”
Flooding unlikely in Triangle this weekend
Meanwhile, the likelihood of flash-flooding over the weekend has decreased.
Leins said showers would continue off and on throughout the Triangle on Saturday, stay “quieter” on Sunday and present no severe risks. The greatest threat remains north and east of Raleigh near Rocky Mount.
Some coastal impact
Humberto intensified quickly on Friday from a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph in the morning to a major hurricane with wind speeds of 115 mph by 5 p.m.
Its forecasted track kept the center of the storm offshore, avoiding direct landfall in the U.S. However, offshore storms can still cause coastal impacts including swells and rip currents.
This story was originally published September 27, 2025 at 9:04 AM with the headline "No threat to NC from Humberto, but keep an eye on Tropical Cyclone 9."
