INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Tropical Depression Nine, churning in the northwestern Caribbean Sea, is forecast to bring heavy rainfall, gusty winds and hazardous marine conditions to Sebastian and Vero Beach along Florida’s east coast over the next 48 hours, even as the system tracks toward the central and northwestern Bahamas.
Indian River County is currently under a tropical storm watch. The north jetty at the Sebastian Inlet closed Saturday at 12 p.m. in preparation for the expected storm wave surge.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Saturday that the disturbance, located about 115 miles southeast of Havana, Cuba, had sustained winds near 35 mph and was moving northwest at 7 mph as of 8 a.m. EDT.
Forecasters expect it to strengthen into a tropical storm later Saturday or Sunday, potentially earning the name Imelda as the ninth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, with a 90% chance of development over the next two days.
While the storm’s center is projected to remain offshore of Florida, its outer bands are anticipated to produce indirect impacts starting Saturday night. In Sebastian and Vero Beach, residents can expect 1 to 3 inches of rain, with isolated areas seeing more than 4 inches through Monday morning, raising a marginal risk of localized flooding in low-lying spots. Showers and thunderstorms are likely, with some storms packing lightning and higher wind gusts.
Winds in the area are forecast to increase from 5 to 10 knots Saturday to 15 to 20 knots by Sunday afternoon. Winds will shift from east to northeast. There’s a low chance of tropical storm-force winds along the coast, but breezy conditions could still down tree limbs or cause minor power outages.
Tropical storm-force winds are sustained wind speeds ranging from 39 to 73 mph.
Marine conditions will deteriorate rapidly, with seas building from 2 to 3 feet Saturday night to 7 to 9 feet by Sunday night offshore of Sebastian Inlet, occasionally reaching 11 feet. Breaking waves of 6 to 8 feet are expected at beaches, prompting a high risk of rip currents and possible high surf advisories.
Boaters are urged to avoid the water, as tropical storm conditions are possible in the Sebastian Inlet to Jupiter Inlet zone by Sunday night.
The NHC is also tracking Hurricane Humberto farther east in the Atlantic, which is not expected to affect Florida. No evacuations have been ordered in Indian River County, but emergency officials are monitoring the forecast and advising residents to secure outdoor items and avoid swimming.
The storm’s cone of uncertainty has shifted slightly closer to Florida’s east coast in recent updates, but major impacts remain focused on eastern Cuba and the Bahamas, where significant rainfall is anticipated. Forecasters warn that hazardous conditions can occur well outside the cone.
Sebastian Daily will continue to provide updates for residents of Indian River County.
