Tropical Storm Chantal has developed off the southeastern coast of the U.S. and is predicted to bring significant rainfall to areas of the Carolinas on Saturday. The National Hurricane Center in Miami has issued tropical storm warnings for specific regions within these states.
As of 5 p.m. EDT, Chantal’s center was approximately 95 miles (150 kilometers) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and 165 miles (270 kilometers) south-southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and was traveling north at 7 mph (11 kph).
Chantal’s center is anticipated to move across the South Carolina coast either late on Saturday or early Sunday, with the possibility of some strengthening before making landfall.
Heavy rain was forecast for the coastal plain of the Carolinas through Monday — total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters), with local amounts up to 6 inches — threatening flash flooding.
