Storm tracker: Chantal downgraded to tropical depression after landfall
The center said early Sunday, July 6 that the storm made landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina at about 4 a.m. local time. The storm was about 20 miles southwest of Lumberton, North Carolina and about 80 miles west of Wilmington, North Carolina as of 11 a.m., the center said, moving at about 9 mph northward.
Flash flooding remains a threat as rainbands from the storm move inland across northeastern South Carolina and Eastern North Carolina.
Maximum sustained winds are at about 35 mph, the center said, a decrease from 40-50 mph winds in early Sunday and late Saturday reports. Tropical Depression Chantal will continue to produce heavy rainfall across portions of central North Carolina into Monday, July 7 the center said, with total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches expected and local amounts up to 6 inches.
The now discontinued tropical storm warning applied to over 100 miles of coastline stretching from South Santee River, South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina.
Though it has now been downgraded, National Hurricane Center forecasters said the storm is expected to continue to weaken as it moves inland, and the system is forecast to degenerate into a trough of low pressure on Monday. It's expected to turn northeastward throughout Sunday and into Monday, with forecasts anticipating the center of Chantal to move over eastern North Carolina through Sunday evening.
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.
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
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," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 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.
Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chantal downgraded to tropical depression: See tracker
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