Tropical Storm Chantal 2025: South Carolina and North Carolina Brace for Impact

Tropical Storm Chantal: Tracking the Weekend Threat

1. What Is Chantal & How Did It Form?

• A tropical depression off Georgia/Florida on July 4 strengthened into Tropical Storm Chantal on July 5 as it drifted northward toward South Carolina.

• The storm formed amid the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which, though forecast to be active, has seen only a few systems so far.

2. Storm Path & Forecast

• As of July 5 at 5 p.m. EDT, Chantal was located ~95 miles SE of Charleston, SC, moving north at ~7 mph with 45 mph winds.

• Forecast: Expect landfall late Saturday night or early Sunday morning along the South Carolina coast, then quickly track northeast.

• A Tropical Storm Warning spans from South Santee River, SC to Cape Fear, NC; a Watch extends from Edisto Beach to South Santee River.

3. Impacts: Rain, Wind, & Sea Hazards

• Heavy Rainfall: Coastal plains and inland areas of NC/SC to see 2–4 inches, with isolated pockets collecting up to 6 inches, increasing flash flood risk.

• Storm Surge: Coastal regions may experience a 1–3 ft surge in the warning zone; 1–2 ft in watch areas.

• Winds: Sustained ~45 mph, gusting to 50 mph—not expected to cause major structural damage but capable of bringing down weak fences or mobile structures.

• Surf & Rip Currents: Dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents are expected from Saturday into next week—beaches are likely off-limits.

• Tornado Risk: Outer rainbands could spark isolated tornadoes in eastern Carolina regions .

4. Alerts & Advisories

• Warnings and watches set up by the National Hurricane Center and local NWS offices are now active .

• Residents are urged to monitor local updates and be ready until the storm moves inland early Monday .

5. Preparing for Chantal: What to Watch

• Secure lightweight outdoor items and prepare sandbags for ground-floor entry points.

• Avoid beach outings due to treacherous surf and rip currents.

• Watch the forecast closely—more rains and potential river flooding expected through Monday.

• Stay indoors during peak storm hours (Saturday night/Sunday morning).

6. Forecast Summary: Myrtle Beach & Charleston

• Both are forecast to see rain bands starting late Saturday, persisting through Sunday, with peak intensity during landfall.

• Charleston can expect gusty winds, street flooding, and storm-driven tides.

• Myrtle Beach faces heavy waves, possible coastal erosion, and dammed-up tides.

Why Chantal Matters

• Even weaker tropical storms like Chantal can cause significant flash flooding, dangerous waves, and rip current fatalities.

• It highlights the need for vigilance during hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.

• Chantal’s relatively slow-moving profile prolongs its potential impact window.

🔗 Resources & Tracker

• Stay updated via local NWS offices (Charleston, Columbia, Wilmington).

• Follow the National Hurricane Center for official advisories.

• Watch reputable outlets like AP News, CBS News, FOX Weather for live coverage.

🚨 Final Takeaway

Tropical Storm Chantal is the third named system this season and a clear warning to coastal Carolinians: prepare for heavy rain, gusty winds, and dangerous surf. Impacts will last into early next week, especially inland. Stay heedful, avoid unnecessary travel, and take storm threats seriously—even when not a hurricane.