Tropical storm Chantal nears South Carolina, flash flood warnings issued

Tropical Storm Chantal, the third named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, is moving slowly toward the South Carolina coast, with landfall expected late Saturday night or early Sunday morning between Charleston and Myrtle Beach.

As of 8 am EDT (Eastern Time Zone) Saturday, Chantal was located about 150 miles south-southeast of Charleston, moving north at 2 mph. Maximum sustained winds are reported at 40–50 mph, with further strengthening possible before landfall, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The NHC forecasts Chantal will continue north-northwest on Saturday, shifting northeast by Sunday night. Landfall is projected near Charleston to Myrtle Beach around midnight to early Sunday.

Chantal is expected to produce 2-4 inches of rain across coastal North and South Carolina, with 4-6 inches near Myrtle Beach to Wilmington and localized totals up to 6-8 inches.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Wilmington has warned of moderate flooding east of I-95, with potential road closures and possible rescue operations if flash flooding develops rapidly.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect from South Santee River, SC, to Cape Fear, NC, with tropical storm conditions expected to arrive Saturday evening through Sunday morning.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) urges residents in low-lying areas to prepare for potential evacuations and to monitor local alerts as heavy rain bands approach the coast.