(CNN) — Tropical Storm Imelda is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it moves off the Southeast coast this week, kicking up dangerous surf, rip currents, coastal flooding and beach erosion from Florida through the Carolinas.
At the same time, Hurricane Humberto, which briefly exploded into a rare Category 5 storm with 160 mph winds Saturday, is now a Category 4 hurricane. Its massive circulation just east of Imelda will compound the hazards for US beaches this week, driving deadly rip currents and big waves along much of the East Coast.
Even though Imelda’s center is expected to stay well offshore, its wide reach will still bring impacts. Localized flash flooding is still possible in the coastal Carolinas to start the work week, but forecast rainfall totals have decreased subst