(This story was updated to add new information.)
Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, around 4 a.m. Sunday, July 6, according to the National Hurricane Center.
With heavy rains and winds up to 50 mph, a tropical storm warning remains in effect for New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. A flash flood watch is also in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday for Brunswick, Columbus and Horry counties.
As of 5 a.m. Sunday, the center of the storm was located 70 miles northeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and 85 miles south-southwest of Wilmington. The maximum sustained winds were 50 mph.
A turn northward and then northeastward is anticipated over the next 24 hours. The center of Chantal is expected to move farther inland into South Carolina and then North Carolina through the day Sunday, the hurricane center said.
Heavy rainfall, some flooding, isolated tornadoes, gusty winds, and hazardous surf and maritime conditions are still possible across the Cape Fear region.
Here’s the latest forecast for the Wilmington area:
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Rain
Parts of the Wilmington area have already seen 2 to 3 inches of rain. An additional 2 to 3 inches are expected across the region on Sunday. Isolated areas could see up to 6 additional inches.
Flooding
There is the potential for flooding rainfall through Sunday evening, most likely in flood-prone and low-lying areas. Some road flooding and washouts are also possible, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
Wind
Winds ranging from 39 mph to 57 mph are possible across the Wilmington area on Sunday. That could result in downed trees and some power outages. As of 6 a.m. Sunday, the highest recorded wind gust so far in Brunswick County was 48 mph in Southport. In New Hanover County, the highest gust was 37 mph at Masonboro Island. In Pender County, Surf City had the highest gust at 27 mph.
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The Wilmington area is expected to continue feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Chantal throughout the day Sunday, July 6.
Surf
Life-threatening rip currents and dangerous surf are expected for all Wilmington-area beaches on Sunday, the National Weather Service said. An elevated rip current threat will likely linger through early next week.
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Forecast for the 2025 hurricane season
The first two named systems of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, Andrea and Barry, quickly dissipated without strengthening into much or having any impacts on the U.S. mainland, although Barry did bring heavy rains to central Mexico.
Forecasters are expecting an above-average hurricane season, largely driven by the continuing warming of the world’s oceans thanks to climate change.
Colorado State University is predicting a an estimated 17 named storms and nine hurricanes in 2025. Of those hurricanes, four are predicted to reach major hurricane strength, Category 3 or stronger with sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
AccuWeather is forecasting between 13 and 18 named storms, including seven to 10 hurricanes. Three to five of those could reach major hurricane status.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, which includes the National Hurricane Center, also is expecting an above-average hurricane season.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through the end of November.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Tropical Storm Chantal landfall in SC impacts Wilmington, NC, Brunswick County