Hurricane Humberto strengthens into rare Cat 5, but there’s another storm the US needs to watch

(CNN) — Hurricane Humberto rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm Friday and Saturday over the warm, energy-filled water of the open Atlantic Ocean. But there’s quiet threat creeping toward the Southeast coast that people there should keep their eye on.

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

Tropical Depression Nine formed Saturday morning between Cuba and the Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is forecast to become Tropical Storm Imelda tonight or early Sunday, and a Category 1 hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday.

Tropical storm