Clock ticking for the Southeast as next tropical threat looms, with US impacts likely by Monday

(CNN) — More tropical trouble is brewing in the Atlantic Ocean, with the National Hurricane Center now on high alert for the formation of a new storm that will join Hurricane Humberto . But unlike Humberto, this one could go on to directly impact the United States and leave little time to prepare.

Right now, it’s a powerful cluster of thunderstorms drenching Hispaniola with heavy rain and gusty winds, but it’s likely to become a tropical depression or Tropical Storm Imelda as it moves toward the Bahamas this weekend.

If this new system organizes and then takes aim at the Southeast US, landfall could come as soon as Monday or Tuesday. Even if it doesn’t make landfall, there’s concern for a flood threat from a storm that could put on the brakes as it nears the coast.

Meanwhile, Humbert