North Carolina Flood Concerns Grow as Chantal Weakens
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After making landfall in eastern South Carolina early Sunday, Tropical Storm Chantal weakened to a tropical depression but continues to pose significant risks of flash flooding across central and eastern North Carolina.
As of 11 a.m. ET, the system had moved approximately 80 miles west of Wilmington, North Carolina, packing sustained winds near 35 miles per hour as it drifted north at 9 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
As the storm's intensity lessened, heavy rain and dangerous surf conditions remained a lingering threat from the coastal Carolinas as far north as the Mid-Atlantic states.
The NHC canceled tropical storm warnings for the region but advised that rainfall totals could reach up to 6 inches in some pockets, increasing the threat for flash floods and dangerous travel conditions on Sunday and into Monday.
Why It Matters
While Chantal has weakened, hazards still remain for millions of people in the affected zone.
Heavy rains on already saturated grounds heighten the risk of flash flooding, particularly near rivers and low-lying areas of North Carolina.
Accumulations of 2 to 4 inches—locally up to 6 inches—were forecast, potentially threatening property, infrastructure, and transportation.
The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) highlighted the continued "threat of flash flooding across nearby coastal plain" as a key concern, urging residents to heed local advisories.
With flood warnings in effect, emergency management offices preemptively advised residents to avoid water-covered roads and monitor changing conditions, underscoring the vulnerability of the region during peak Atlantic hurricane season, now in its early active phase.
What To Know
Chantal made landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, about 4 a.m. ET on Sunday, having tracked inland from the Atlantic with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph before weakening over land, according to the NHC. By mid-morning, Chantal had been downgraded to a depression as it slowed over the Carolinas but continued to dump heavy rain bands that stretched northward into eastern North Carolina, the Associated Press reported.
The National Weather Service (NWS) and the WPC forecasted rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches across the Carolinas, with local areas potentially receiving up to 6 inches.
The heavy downpours—falling on already saturated soil—intensified the potential for flash flooding across river basins and urban zones.
"These rainfall amounts may lead to scattered instances of flash flooding. Chantal is forecast to steadily weaken to a remnant low as it moves further inland through North Carolina by Monday morning" the WPC warned.
Hazards from dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents extended along the Atlantic coastline from northern Florida through the Mid-Atlantic. Earlier, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division alerted residents to the possibility of "isolated tornadoes along the coast and of minor coastal flooding," the AP reported.
As Chantal moved inland, the WPC highlighted a broader short-range forecast—daily thunderstorms and slow-moving weather systems threatened localized flooding outside the Carolinas, particularly in central Texas and the Great Plains.
This image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Tropical Storm Chantal as it moves from South Carolina into central North Carolina on July 6.
This image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Tropical Storm Chantal as it moves from South Carolina into central North Carolina on July 6.
NOAA via AP
What People Are Saying
National Weather Service (NWS) said in a report Sunday: "Chantal now a Tropical Depression. Flash flood concerns continue across portions of central North Carolina into Monday. Life-threatening surf and rip currents conditions are expected to continue at beaches along the U.S. east coast from northeastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic states during the next day or so. Flood Watches and recovery continue across central Texas."
The Weather Predication Center (WPC) said in a short-range discussion Sunday: "Bands of thunderstorms producing very heavy rainfall continue across central/eastern North Carolina and into southern Virginia with a focus along an inland frontal boundary stretching from central North Carolina into south-central Virginia. A Slight Risk of Excessive Rainfall remains in effect for this region as very heavy rainfall totals of 4-6", possibly higher, will bring the threat of scattered instances of flash flooding."
What Happens Next
The remnants of Chantal are expected to continue moving northeastward through North Carolina and toward southern Virginia by Monday.
The risk of isolated heavy downpours and flash flooding will persist into Monday, even as the storm weakens further.
Authorities anticipate continued hazardous surf and rip current conditions along the Atlantic coast for several days and urge residents and visitors to heed local warnings.
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