Tropical Storm Chantal looms ominously off South Carolina’s coast, raising the alarm for possible dangerous weather impacts on the eastern seaboard.
At a Glance
- Tropical Storm Chantal formed off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, July 5.
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for coastal areas from the South Santee River, SC, to Cape Fear, NC.
- The National Hurricane Center warns of heavy rainfall, potential flash flooding, and dangerous rip currents.
- Landfall is expected along the South Carolina coast late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
Tropical Storm Chantal Forms, Carolinas on Alert
Tropical Storm Chantal, the third named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, formed off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, prompting immediate warnings for coastal communities in both North and South Carolina. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous coastal conditions over the holiday weekend.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the coastal area from the South Santee River in South Carolina to Cape Fear in North Carolina. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the area from Edisto Beach to the South Santee River in South Carolina.
Heavy Rain and Flash Flood Threat
The primary threat from the slow-moving storm is heavy rainfall. According to the forecast from the National Hurricane Center, coastal regions of the Carolinas can expect widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with some isolated areas potentially seeing up to 6 inches. This poses a significant risk of flash flooding, particularly in low-lying and urban areas.
As of Saturday afternoon, Chantal had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving slowly north. Forecasters at CBS News noted that “some additional strengthening is expected before Chantal reaches the coast.”
A Holiday Weekend Landfall
The storm is expected to make landfall along the coast of South Carolina late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. After moving inland, the system is forecast to turn northeast, tracking over eastern North Carolina on its way out to sea.
In addition to the rain and wind, the storm is generating dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents along the coast from northeastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic.
Authorities are urging beachgoers and mariners to exercise extreme caution and heed all official warnings. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also reminds residents in storm-prone areas that it’s never too early to prepare, noting that new flood insurance policies require a 30-day waiting period, as reported by USA Today.
