Monday, July 7, 2025 — Tropical Depression Chantal, downgraded after making landfall at Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, continues to pose a significant threat to North Carolina and southern Virginia, despite weakening from its earlier tropical storm status.
According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Chantal is moving north-northeast at around 10 mph, but heavy rainfall remains a major concern, with storm totals potentially reaching up to 6 inches (152 mm) in some areas. Flood watches are currently in effect across central North Carolina and south-central Virginia, where the risk of flash flooding is considered elevated.
Verified cellphone videos captured flooded roads in Moore County, North Carolina, on Sunday, with sudden flash flooding reported in the towns of Southern Pines and Pinehurst.
Marine conditions along the Atlantic coast have also been hazardous. Buoys off the North Carolina coast, including one at Wilmington Harbor, recorded waves up to 10 feet (3 meters) before daybreak. According to federal forecasters, dangerous surf and rip currents will continue to affect the coastline from eastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic states through at least the next 24 hours.
Footage from North Myrtle Beach showed strong winds and turbulent surf, with gusts of 25–30 mph (40–48 km/h) bending palm trees as lightning flashed across the sky.
At landfall, Chantal’s maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph (80 km/h), weakening to around 30 mph (48 km/h) as the system moved inland. However, federal meteorologists said Chantal could temporarily regain some strength as it tracks into Virginia overnight.
A system is classified as a tropical storm when it sustains surface winds between 39 and 73 mph (63–117 km/h). A tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (61 km/h) or less.
