NWS Update as of Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025
What’s New Since Last Update
- The National Hurricane Center has upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Imelda. Make sure you are still following the National Weather Service in Wilmington, local news meteorologists, and government officials this week as weather forecasts can change.
- While some rainfall is expected tonight (Sunday), most of the rainfall is expected Monday through Tuesday night. Localized flooding rainfall is possible through Tuesday night, especially in coastal urban/low-lying areas.
- Dangerous marine/surf conditions are expected to develop by Monday night and Tuesday, along with strong rip currents through most of next week. Swells from Humberto will also add to the hazardous maritime/beach conditions that will persist through much of the week.
- Brunswick County Government offices, libraries, parks, health clinic, social services, and other facilities will open on their regular schedules Monday, September 29 (subject to change based on future weather forecasts).
Brunswick County and the National Weather Service in Wilmington are monitoring Tropical Storm Imelda (formerly Tropical Depression Nine). Community members in Brunswick County and the surrounding areas should stay alert and monitor this system in the event it further develops and requires protective actions.
Safety Reminders & Tips to Follow
- Do Not Let Your Guard Down! Forecast trends can still change and we will still feel impacts from this storm regardless of where it turns, so it is important to alert and not get complacent.
- Brunswick County is a Coastal, Low-Lying Area. Significant rainfall in short periods of time can lead to localized flooding in areas and flooding on roads and highways. If you encounter flooded or barricaded roads, always TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!
- Consider Ways to Support Your Situational Safety This Week such as identifying when and where you regularly drive and whether you can modify your plans or routes should storm conditions create perilous driving conditions and/or roads/highways flood.
- Continue to Only Follow Credible Sources of Information and make sure you are signed up for the ReadyBrunswick emergency notification system.
This is an evolving event and weather forecasts are always subject to change. Remain alert for updates from the NWS-Wilmington at weather.gov/ilm and find the latest weather information at weather.gov/ilm/briefing and weather.gov/ilm/tropical.
Brunswick County will share updates concerning Tropical Storm Imelda at brunswickcountync.gov/imelda.
Latest Update from NWS-Wilmington
Latest NWS briefing as of Sunday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. / Next NWS briefing planned for Monday, Sept. 29 at 6 a.m.
Key Points
- Confidence is increasing that Imelda will strengthen while moving toward the north through Tuesday before turning east and farther offshore away from southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina.
- While some rainfall is expected tonight, most of the rainfall is expected Monday through Tuesday night.
- Average rainfall of 2 to 4 inches along the coast and 0.5 to 2 inches farther inland are expected. Plausible high-end amounts of 6 inches are possible in coastal areas.
- Localized flooding is possible, mainly near the coast.
Summary of Potential Hazards and Impacts
- Winds: Tropical storm force wind gusts are possible, especially along the northeastern South Carolina coast and far southern North Carolina coast, although downed trees/power lines and power outages are unlikely.
- Storm Surge: Storm surge flooding directly from Imelda is not expected but minor coastal flooding could still occur mid to late week due to strong/persistent northeast winds. Some beach erosion is also possible.
- Rain & Flooding: Rainfall flooding is possible, especially Monday through Tuesday night, mainly in low-lying and poor drainage areas near the coast.
- Tornadoes: Tornadoes are unlikely, although waterspouts are possible Monday through Tuesday across the adjacent Atlantic waters.
- Marine: Dangerous marine/surf conditions are expected to develop by Monday night and Tuesday, along with strong rip currents through most of next week. Swells from Humberto will also add to the hazardous maritime/beach conditions that will persist through much of the week.
County Operational Updates
- Brunswick County Government offices, libraries, parks, health clinic, social services, and other facilities will open on their regular schedules Monday, September 29 (subject to change based on future weather forecasts).
- Brunswick County’s Emergency Operations Center is currently activated to Level 3 – Enhanced Monitoring
- GFL Environmental will assess road conditions and other factors to determine whether their crews can safely collect curbside trash and recycling carts as normally scheduled. If you have questions about your curbside trash and recycling cart collections, contact GFL Environmental at 910.253.4177 or check their website for updates: gflenv.com/brunswick.
What You Need to Do Now
Best Practices & Safety Reminders
- Register for the ReadyBrunswick emergency notification system
- Remain alert for updates from the NWS-Wilmington at weather.gov/ilm and find the latest weather briefing at weather.gov/ilm/briefing and weather.gov/ilm/tropical
- Have multiple ways to get weather information (local news and radio stations, NOAA weather radios, National Weather Service, emergency alert notifications, etc.)
- Have a plan. Know how you will keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe if flooding is forecast for your area. Make sure you consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if you aren’t together should flooding start.
- Never drive on flooded or barricaded roads—TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN!
- Review and discuss your household hurricane plan with your family or housemates. Identify where you plan to go in the event you choose to relocate or need to evacuate, check your evacuation zone (Know Your Zone) in case an evacuation is issued, choose which route you will take, and discuss how you will communicate with each other throughout the event.
Find more preparedness information and resources at brunswickcountync.gov/hurricanes.