Tropical Storm Chantal makes landfall in eastern South Carolina
Chantal, the third tropical storm of the 2025 Atlantic season, could bring total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches − and localized amounts up to 6 inches − across portions of the coastal plains of the Carolinas, the National Hurricane Center said.
"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.
Isolated tornadoes were also possible along the coast of eastern South Carolina and much of North Carolina, the center said.
Where will the worst impacts of Chantal be felt?
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, Accuweather said.
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.
Prepare now for hurricanes: Here's what you should do to stay safe before a storm arrives
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.
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