(CNN) — A strengthening tropical depression brewing near the Bahamas could bring flooding rain, coastal surge, damaging winds and dangerous surf to the Southeast US 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 and a Category 1 hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Bahamas this weekend, and tropical storm watches are now up for the east coast of Florida from the Palm Beach and Martin County line northward to the Flagler and Volusia County line. Tropical storm-force winds are possible in those parts of

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