The tropical cyclone rapidly strengthened and struck High Island, Texas, with winds of about 90 mph (140 km/h) early on September 13.

It steadily weakened after moving ashore, and on September 14, Humberto began dissipating over northwestern Georgia as it interacted with an approaching cold front.

The origins of Humberto can be traced to the remnants of a frontal trough—the same one that spawned Tropical Storm Gabrielle—that moved offshore of south Florida on September 5.

[1][2] The combination of a weak surface trough and an upper-level low pressure system produced disorganized showers and thunderstorms from western Cuba into the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Radar imagery reported loose banding features, and buoy data indicated the presence of a surface circulation; based on the observations, the National Hurricane Center classified the system as Tropical Depression Nine, while located roughly 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Matagorda, Texas.

[8] A small cyclone, the storm continued to organize quickly as it turned north-northeastward, while radar imagery suggested the formation of an eye by early on September 13.

A well-defined eye was maintained with strong convection around it, and Hurricane Hunters reported sustained winds of 85 mph (137 km/h) about two hours after landfall.

[2] Based on operational estimates of a wind speed increase of 50 mph (80 km/h), the National Hurricane Center reported that "no tropical cyclone in the historic record has ever reached this intensity at a faster rate near landfall."

Upon issuing its last advisory, the National Hurricane Center remarked on the potential for the remnants of the storm to turn southward into the Gulf of Mexico.

[18] The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center posted a tornado watch for southwestern coastal parishes.

[23] In the Golden Pass Ship Channel, an unofficial report of a 115 mph (185 km/h) wind gust was relayed to the National Hurricane Center.

The passage of the hurricane caused one fatality in the state; a Bridge City man was killed when his carport crashed on him outside his house.

[2] Oil production was slowed as a result of Humberto, as at least four refineries—the Valero, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies and Motiva Enterprises LLC plants in Port Arthur—were halted due to the loss of power.

In Hinds County, a small rail bridge was washed out, forcing all Amtrak train passengers to take a bus to their destinations.

[34] In Alabama, rainfall up to 5.06 in (129 mm) caused minor ponding in low-lying areas but aided in short-term drought relief.

[40] In South Carolina, one EF1 tornado touched down in Laurens County, causing moderate damage to several homes before lifting.

[41] Hours after Humberto made landfall, Rick Perry declared Galveston, Jefferson, and Orange counties as disaster areas, which allocated state resources to assist the affected residents.