Storm tracker: Tropical Storm Chantal forms; heavy rains headed for coastal Carolinas
Tropical Storm Chantal, which formed off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, July 5, is expected to bring heavy rainfall across the coastal Carolinas Saturday night and Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
By 8 p.m. rainbands from Chantal were moving over the coasts of the Carolinas, where heavy rain is expected to raise flash flooding concerns in some locations, especially in urban areas, the hurricane center said.
Earlier in the day, the center extended a tropical storm warning from the South Santee River in South Carolina, northward to Surf City, North Carolina. Tropical storm conditions within the warning area could start Saturday evening and continue through Sunday morning, the center said.
Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area from Edisto Beach, North Carolina, to the South Santee River, S.C.
Moderate flooding could occur east of Interstate 95, and that could prompt evacuations or rescues, said the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, N.C.
There could be minor coastal flooding, south of Myrtle Beach, S.C., but it's "not expected to be a significant concern," said National Weather Service meteorologist Jordan Baker in Wilmington.
Tropical storm warning, watch for coastal Carolinas
Tropical Storm Chantal is expected to bring rainfall of two to four inches, with locally higher amounts of up to six inches, through Monday, July 7, the center said. The storm could also bring isolated tornadoes across parts of eastern South Carolina and eastern North Carolina Saturday night and into Sunday, the center said.
Chantal’s peak sustained winds are expected to reach just 50 mph, with potentially higher gusts before it makes landfall, the NHC warned. But to the benefit of the coastal Carolinas, most of the worst winds will remain out over the Atlantic Ocean.
At 8 p.m. ET Saturday, Chantal’s peak sustained winds were 45 mph and the storm was centered 80 miles east-southeast of Charleston and 140 miles south-southwest of Wilmington. Chantal has begun to move a little faster – 7 mph up from 3 mph earlier in the day.
Tropical Storm Chantal tracker
Coastal areas of South Carolina and southern North Carolina are expected to get wind gusts of 40 mph to 50 mph. "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," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
Life threatening rip currents are possible at beaches from northeastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic over the next few days, the NHC said.
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.
What's a tropical storm?
A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Prepare now 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.
(This story has been updated to add new information and to correct a misspelling/typo.)