Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall in eastern South Carolina early Sunday morning, subsequently weakening to a tropical depression as it moved inland. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), by 11 a.m. ET, Chantal had traveled roughly 80 miles west of Wilmington, North Carolina, maintaining sustained winds near 35 mph while drifting north at 9 mph. Although the storm’s wind intensity diminished, the situation remained perilous due to heavy rain and hazardous surf conditions along the coastal Carolinas, extending to the Mid-Atlantic states. The NHC lifted tropical storm warnings but cautioned that rainfall could accumulate up to 6 inches in certain areas, raising concerns of flash flooding and adverse travel conditions both on Sunday and into Monday.
The potential for flash flooding remained a critical concern as heavy rains soaked already saturated grounds across central and eastern North Carolina. The National Weather Service and the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) projected rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with localized areas potentially exceeding this amount. Vulnerable regions such as low-lying areas and river basins faced heightened risks, threatening property, infrastructure, and transportation networks. With flood warnings in effect, emergency management officials urged residents to stay off water-covered roads and stay informed about changing weather conditions, highlighting the risks associated with the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season.
Chantal made its initial landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, at 4 a.m. ET, tracking inland from the Atlantic with maximum winds of 50 mph before its subsequent weakening. As morning progressed, the storm was downgraded to a depression, but heavy rainfall persisted, particularly impacting eastern North Carolina. The WPC reiterated that rainfall amounts could lead to scattered instances of flash flooding, especially given that the storm is projected to gradually weaken to a remnant low as it progresses further inland into North Carolina by Monday morning. Additionally, dangerous surf conditions and rip currents were noted along the Atlantic coastline, from northern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic.
On Sunday, the National Weather Service confirmed that Chantal’s transformation to a tropical depression also meant ongoing flash flood concerns for significant portions of central North Carolina. Life-threatening rip currents and hazardous surf conditions were anticipated to continue along beaches from northeastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic states for the next couple of days. Furthermore, flood watches and recovery efforts were ongoing in central Texas as the implications of Chantal were felt beyond the immediate storm zone. Notably, the WPC provided updates about bands of thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall extending across central and eastern North Carolina and southern Virginia, emphasizing that the threat of excessive rainfall remained in effect.
As Chantal moved northeast, the remnants were set to continue their trajectory through North Carolina and toward southern Virginia by Monday, where isolated heavy downpours and flash flooding risks would still be prevalent. Experts warned that hazardous surf and rip currents would persist, advising both locals and visitors along the Atlantic coast to heed emergency alerts and warnings. The ongoing situation demanded vigilance and preparedness from residents in affected areas as the storm’s residual impacts would bring compounded complications, especially as the region was already grappling with inclement weather.
In summary, while Tropical Storm Chantal has weakened, its lingering effects, including heavy rainfall and flooding risks, necessitate heightened caution across affected regions. The storm’s initial landfall marked the start of potential challenges for residents and infrastructure in South Carolina and North Carolina, with emergency management emphasizing the need for situational awareness. As Chantal transitions into its remnant phase and moves inland, threats remain, particularly in terms of flash floods and severe surf conditions, illustrating the unpredictable nature of storms during the peak of hurricane season.
