NWS Update as of Monday, Sept. 29, 2025 / Final Update
What’s New Since Last Update
- The main threat will be across the adjacent coastal waters where a combination of waves from Humberto and Imelda will create hazardous maritime conditions and rough surf/rip currents along area beaches. A few waterspouts are also possible Monday and Tuesday
- There is still some potential for flooding along low-lying/prone locations through Tuesday before conditions significantly improve for the second part of the week.
- Know how to report power outages and downed electrical lines to your electric provider should they occur. Visit their websites to learn how to report these hazards to Duke Energy Progress or Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC).
Brunswick County and the National Weather Service in Wilmington are monitoring Tropical Storm Imelda. 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.
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!
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.
This is the final update unless conditions warrant additional notifications in the future. Brunswick County will share updates concerning Tropical Storm Imelda at brunswickcountync.gov/imelda.
Latest Update from NWS-Wilmington
Last NWS briefing as of Monday, Sept. 29 at 5:15 a.m.
Key Points
- Confidence remains high that Imelda will remain far enough to the south and southeast that impacts across southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina would be very limited.
- Rainfall amounts continue to trend downward, but there is still a potential for some flooding, especially along low-lying/prone locations in the coastal areas
- Average rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected along the coast, and generally 0.5 to 1 inches inland.
- Plausible high-end amounts of 3 to 4 inches are possible at a few locations along the coastal areas.
Summary of Potential Hazards and Impacts
- Winds: Tropical storm force wind gusts are not likely across land areas, as the strongest winds will remain off the coast.
- 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 for a few areas, Monday through Tuesday, 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: Hazardous marine/surf conditions with strong rip currents are expected Monday through Saturday from a combination of swells from Imelda and Humberto.
County Operational Updates
- 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.
- Know how to report power outages and downed electrical lines to your electric provider should they occur. Visit their websites to learn how to report these hazards to Duke Energy Progress or Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC).
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.