Tropical Storm Chantal weakens to a depression as it moves across Carolinas
Tropical Storm Chantal weakened into a depression after sweeping inland across South Carolina into eastern North Carolina on Sunday, July 6, though the system still brought a threat of flash flooding and dangerous rip currents.
Chantal, the third tropical storm of the 2025 Atlantic season, made landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, at about 4 a.m. local time. By midmorning, the system's sustained winds had decreased to near 35 mph with higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Center.
While the storm is expected to continue weakening, it was still likely "to produce heavy rainfall across portions of northeastern South Carolina today and across portions of North Carolina through Monday," the center said.
Total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, and local amounts up to 6 inches, were expected. "The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline," the center warned.
Meanwhile, from the Carolinas to Florida coast, Chantal was expected to produce "life-threatening surf and rip currents" into next week, the hurricane center said.
Where will the worst impacts of Chantal be felt?
The depression was moving toward the north near 9 mph and was expected to move over eastern North Carolina into the night, the hurricane center said.
The circulation of Chantal could lead to dangers far from the storm's track in areas from Savannah, Georgia, to Jacksonville, Florida, such as rough surf and treacherous rip currents, according to Accuweather.
The storm's most intense winds should remain offshore, but risks remain, forecasters said.
"The strongest winds are expected near and to the east of where the storm makes landfall and can produce tree damage, localized power outages and some structural damage," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roy said.
Tropical Storm Chantal tracker
When did the 2025 hurricane season start?
The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and will last through the end of November.
Active hurricane weather typically peaks between mid-August and mid-October.
Chantal, which intensified into a tropical storm Saturday, followed two earlier tropicals storms in June: Andrea, which was the first named storm of the 2025 season, and the short-lived Barry.
How do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.
A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
How to prepare for hurricanes
Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends.
- Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
- Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
- Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
- Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
- Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings.