Tropical system closing in on the Southeast could unleash dangerous flood threat early next week

CIRA/RAMMB/NOAA

A tropical system brewing near the Bahamas could bring flooding rain, coastal surge, damaging winds and dangerous surf to the Southeast US as early as Monday, leaving very little time for people to prepare.

The disturbance was designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Friday evening, a label the National Hurricane Center uses when a tropical storm has not yet officially formed, but impacts are likely within three days. A tropical storm warning for what is expected to be Tropical Storm Imelda by early Sunday is in effect for the central Bahamas, with a tropical storm watch posted for the northwestern islands beginning late Saturday into Sunday.

Forecasts take the center across the Bahamas this weekend before steering it toward the Southeast US coast by early next week. T