Hurricane Imelda
Hurricane Imelda was a moderately strong tropical cyclone that caused significant impacts in the Greater Antilles before affecting the Bahamas and Bermuda from late September to early October 2025. The ninth named storm and fourth hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic [hurricane season], the system was the only hurricane of the season to not become a major hurricane. It formed between Cuba and the Lucayan Archipelago on September 27, although the National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories on the weather disturbance a day prior, when it was still considered to be a potential tropical cyclone. Imelda would progress north, strengthening as it traversed the Bahamas, before becoming a hurricane, and making a sharp eastward turn driven by a combination of atmospheric steering currents and interaction with Humberto (2025)|Hurricane Humberto]. Later Imelda hit Bermuda with hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, and rough surf.
Prior to its hurricane strengthening, Imelda had already caused significant rainfall across the Antilles, particularly in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, where floodwaters killed four men. Damages, estimated by Aon, totaled to more than US$10 million.
Meteorological history
On September 21, a tropical wave began producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms far east of the Windward Islands. On September 25, the disturbance began showing signs of organization near Hispaniola. A low-level circulation began to form within the disturbance the following day, at which time it was designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine. On the morning of September 27, more organization occurred, and the disturbance became Tropical Depression Nine. The system was also progressing generally northward around this time. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Imelda the following afternoon about southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Early on September 30, while over the central Bahamas, deep convection redeveloped along the western side of Imelda, and, steered by Hurricane Humberto, Imelda turned to the northeast, away from the East Coast of the United States. At their closest approach, Humberto and Imelda were apart, the second-closest approach by two hurricanes in the Atlantic per HURDAT. That same morning, the storm strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane. Imelda's inner core structure continued to improve into October 1, and it operationally intensified into a Category 2 hurricane, though it was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane in post analysis.Shortly after reaching peak, Imelda encountered conditions only marginally conductive for intensification, including high wind shear and encroaching dry air. That evening, as the system began its transition into an extratropical cyclone, the eye of Imelda brushed the Bermuda coast with sustained winds of operationally. The following morning, while moving quickly toward the east-northeast out to sea, Imelda weakened, and later completed its extratropical transition.
Preparations and impact
Lesser Antilles
The preceding tropical wave prompted Météo-France to issue a yellow alert for some of France's leeward islands. Schools in the United States Virgin Islands were closed on September 24 due to the expected heavy rain and flood threat due to the disturbance.In Guadeloupe, heavy rain fell within 24 hours. At least of rain fell on Pas-du-Roy on Basse-Terre, while rainfall totals reached in Saint-Félix Gosier on Grande-Terre. La Désirade recorded a total precipitation of within the same time period. The United States Virgin Islands eventually did not receive a large amount of rain, though the waters south of Saint Croix recorded of rain. At least 3,000 customers were left without electricity on the islands as of September 25.
Greater Antilles
The precursor system caused squalls to the Greater Antilles on September 23 and 24, producing torrential rains which were observed in Puerto Rico and eastern Dominican Republic.Dominican Republic
On September 26, five provinces in the Dominican Republic were put under a red alert for rain, while several others were placed under yellow alert. Schools and other educational centers under a flooding threat were also closed on the same day.The predecessor tropical wave brought heavy rain to the Dominican Republic. The Dajabón River left its banks, causing damage to rice plantations surrounding. Flooding in the Tábara River caused 26 people to be sheltered. Urban floods occurred in Santo Domingo, inundating several streets. The city mobilized 300 officers to clean drainage systems. Trees fell on and obstructed highways in Santo Domingo, Monseñor Nouel, and San Jose do Ocoa. Hundreds of people had to be evacuated in the nation. Two houses were destroyed and almost a thousand were damaged. A tree fell on a house in Barahona. At least 774 people were displaced in Azua. Due to extreme flooding impacting the aqueducts, 400,000 citizens' water supplies were impacted.
Cuba
Two died in Cuba as a result of Imelda. One man had been reported to have died as a result of landslides. In Eastern Cuba, heavy rains occurred, with four stations reporting more than of rain. A landslide occurred in Yateras due to heavy rain in the Guatanamo Province. Over 18,000 people were evacuated from the province. Five people were rescued from the Sigua River. Several houses became flooded. Reservoirs in Santiago de Cuba saw an increase in volume by. Due to flooding and landslides, 17 communities were cut off in the province.Elsewhere
In Puerto Rico, a deceased man was found in a river flooded by the proceeding tropical wave in Yauco. One man is missing in Haiti and Imelda caused flooding in 35 communities. Two others were also injured in Haiti.Lucayan Archipelago
In anticipation of the storm, tropical storm warnings were issued for the central and northwest Bahamas on September 26. That same day, the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training closed schools on Acklins, Crooked Island, Inagua, and Mayaguana. Government buildings were closed on September 28 on Abaco, Andros, the Berry Islands, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Grand Cay, New Providence, and San Salvador Island. The Port of Nassau closed September 25–28, hosting 18 ships. The Margaritaville at Sea arrived early to port before Imelda could arrive. Mandatory evacuation orders were made for Grand Bahama and parts of Abaco. In the East End on Grand Bahama, 110 people evacuated and 47 sought shelter. Western Air suspended flights for September 28. Lynden Pindling International Airport and Grand Bahama International Airport shut down on the same day. Panic buying was reported on Grand Bahama.Wind gusts reached 83 mph in Treasure Cay on September 29, and sustained winds of 48 mph were measured at Little Hog Cay in the Abacos. Some power outages were reported across the islands and power lines were downed. Around 1,500 customers lost power on New Providence. A wide outage was reported on Abaco. On San Salvador, police officers directed the flow of traffic through roads during the storm. The Queens Highways flooded during the storm. Waves surmounted sea walls on San Salvador. Due to flooding across several islands, Bahamasair suspended flights on several islands. On New Providence, streets were flooded to knee-height. Pumping trucks were used on the streets. Fourteen public schools had to be closed due to flooding.
The Turks and Caicos Islands suffered from heavy rains and gusty conditions.
United States
Parts of the Florida East Coast were placed under a tropical storm watch. High surf and gust advisories were also issued for parts of the state. Ahead of the storm, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency for the state on September 26. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein did the same for his state. The Charleston city council also deployed stormwater pumps in anticipation of the arrival of the storm. Officials in Tybee Island, Georgia, gave out sandbags. Charleston and Savannah also distributed sandbags.A rip current risk was heightened along the United States East Coast as Imelda, along with Hurricane Humberto to its east, agitated the seas. Imelda pushed rains onto the Florida coast. Turtle hatchlings were reported to have been thrown onto the beach by the seas in Juno Beach. Playalinda Beach of the Canaveral National Seashore was damaged due to Imelda and other storms and would close until November 14. In North Carolina, eight homes collapsed and a portion of North Carolina Highway 12 was flooded from strong waves generated by Imelda and the nearby Hurricane Humberto.
Bermuda
On September 29, a hurricane watch was issued for Bermuda. A hurricane warning was issued the next day. Trips of the Liberty of the Seas, Carnival Venezia, and Norwegian Aqua to Bermuda were cancelled. Ferry service was halted on the evening of September 30. The Causeway, L.F. Wade International Airport, and government offices were closed and bus service ceased on October 1. Schools were closed October 1 and 2. A shelter was opened at CedarBridge Academy. In total, more than 50 people stayed at shelters across the islands. A hundred soldiers were deployed. In conjunction with Humberto, the threat of Imelda prompted the qualifier for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship to be postponed. The Royal Gazette ceased publication for October 2.Despite the strong winds, minor damage and no fatalities were reported after the storm. Sustained winds in Bermuda reached 78 mph, with gusts to 99 mph at the National Museum of Bermuda. Rainfall on the island totaled around. Widespread fallen trees occurred across Bermuda. A section of the perimeter fence at the L.F. Wade International Airport was toppled by strong winds caused by Imelda. At 09:00 AST on October 2, BELCO reported over 17,700 customers without power. A series of burglaries occurred in Hamilton during Imelda.