Tropical Storm Chantal (/ʃɑːnˈtɑːl/shahn-TAHL)[2] was a tropical cyclone that impacted the Southeastern United States in July 2025. Chantal originated from a decaying frontal boundary over Florida. It then moved offshore into the Atlantic Ocean and rapidly organized into a tropical depression on July 4. The next day,the system became better organized and was upgraded to tropical storm status,being assigned the name Chantal. The system steadily intensified until landfall early on July 6 in South Carolina,rapidly weakening into a tropical depression inland later that day.
Chantal produced tropical storm force-winds and gusts in northeastern South Carolina as it made landfall. Chantal produced heavy rainfall as it slowly moved into North Carolina,exceeding 10 inches (250mm) in Alamance,Chatham,and Orange counties. Significant flash flooding took place across central North Carolina late on July 6. Losses totaled to US$500 million according to Gallagher Re.[3]
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity,according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
On June29, the NHC began monitoring a decaying frontal boundary along the southeastern United States coastline for potential tropical development.[4] Early on July4, a weak area of low pressure developed along the boundary, off the coast of northeastern Florida.[5]Wind shear in the region was weak at the time, and sea surface temperatures were seasonably warm, around 82 to 84°F (28 to 29°C).[6] That afternoon, the circulation associated with the low became well-defined and was designated Tropical Depression Three by the NHC.[7] The system became better organized overnight, showing a significant burst of deep convection on GOES-19 infrared imagery,[8] and strengthened to Tropical Storm Chantal at 12:00UTC on July5.[9] That afternoon, the storm maintained a concentrated area of deep convection over the eastern half of its dense cloud cover, while moving slowly northward off the coast of the Carolinas against moderate wind shear.[10] Early on July 6 at 06:00 UTC, Chantal briefly intensified to 60mph (95km/h),[11] and turned north-northwestward, before making landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina with maximum sustained winds of 50mph (80km/h) at approximately 08:00 UTC.[12] The storm moved northward inland, weakening to tropical depression strength by late morning.[13] On July 7, Chantal degenerated into a remnant low over northern Virginia.[14] The remnants progressed northeast towards New York.[15]
Preparations and impact
Carolinas
Radar loop of Tropical Storm Chantal at landfall in South Carolina between July 5–6
Tropical Storm Chantal increased the rip current threat off the Carolina coast.[20] On July4, 11people had to be rescued due to rip currents.[21] Lifeguards around the Grand Strand performed rescues to people who went through the rough waters off the coast.[22] A peak wind gust of 56 miles per hour (90km/h) on Springmaid Pier, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina was recorded.[23] Around 4–6 inches (100–150mm) of rainfall was measured in Horry County.[24]
Rainfall totals from Tropical Storm Chantal for southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina
In North Carolina, as much as 11 inches (280mm) of rain fell across the state.[25][26] Four EF1 tornadoes and an EF0 tornado were also confirmed.[27][28] About 8 inches (200mm) fell in Moore County, resulting in the closure of two highways and two water rescues in Aberdeen. A Kohl's and a connecting shopping center were evacuated after a retaining wall failure caused flooding in Southern Pines.[29] Some public housing in Chapel Hill was evacuated, lying in a floodprone area, with residents being temporarily housed in hotels.[30] Another nearby dam failure damaged roads.[29] A tree was also downed onto a home in Aberdeen.[31] A state of emergency was issued for Moore County.[25] An EF1 tornado in Sanford damaged two hangars and two aircraft at the Raleigh Executive Jetport, while toppling trees and power lines at a neighboring mobile home park.[32] That tornado caused $2 million in damage.[33] Another EF1 tornado was confirmed in Chatham County, where several water rescues also took place.[34] Over 100roads were damaged in or around Chatham County. One person was killed after their car was swept away by floodwaters in the county.[35] Another died in Orange County when her car was submerged. A man's body was recovered from running water after his car ran off the road in Alamance County. A woman in Graham was found dead with her car in a pond.[36] Additionally, two boaters went missing at Jordan Lake amidst the storm, both of whom were later found deceased.[37][38]
A gas station near I-85 in Orange County was inundated by floodwaters.[32] A state of emergency was declared by the county as a result of flooding.[39] Voluntary evacuations were also issued in Mebane due to concerns of a dam failure.[40] Rain from Chantal led to the Eno River rising to 25.64 feet (7.82m), the highest ever recorded.[41] As a result of the Eno River flooding, 80people had to be rescued in Durham County.[42] Another 50 were rescued in Chapel Hill.[43] The Haw River in Burlington, North Carolina similarly rose to 32.5 feet (9.9m), a few inches short of its record from Hurricane Fran.[41] In Lee County, numerous mobile homes were destroyed and strong winds uprooted trees.[44] A portion of NC 902 was shut down due to part of the road being washed away from the heavy rain and flooding.[45] Parts of I-40 where partially shut down.[46] By July7, 120roads remained closed.[47] Three trails in Chapel Hill were damaged.[48] According to Duke Energy, thousands of customers were left without power due to Chantal.[49]Amtrak rail service was also temporarily shut down in the central part of North Carolina.[50] Severe flooding damage at their transmitter sites forced two Chapel Hill, North Carolina radio stations, WCHL[51][52] and WLLQ,[53] off the air. Paperhand Puppet Intervention suffered losses of US$100,000 as a result of the storm.[54]
In the aftermath of Chantal, the News & Observer reported real estate companies purchasing properties under market value and flipping them for a high value. The newspaper also noted that communities affected were usually poorer and non-English speaking.[55]
Elsewhere
Satellite loop of the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal re-emerging off the Eastern Seaboard on July 7.
The predecessor to Chantal brought high humidity, cloudy conditions, and rain to Florida.[56] Several celebrations for the United States' Independence Day were cancelled in Florida on July3 as a result of rainfall from the predecessor to Chantal.[57] Northeast Florida was also affected by rip currents from Chantal.[58]
The Mid-Atlantic also experienced strong surf and rip tides.[59] Flood watches were issued for several Mid-Atlantic states, extending as far north as New Jersey, as Chantal and remnant moisture affected the region between July7–8.[41][40][60] In addition, flash flood warnings were issued for several counties in southern and central Virginia.[40] Strong wind gusts affected Maryland from thunderstorms in association with Chantal's remnants on July8, with peak gusts reaching 70 miles per hour (110km/h) in Kingstown.[60] More than 18,000 customers were affected by power outages across Maryland.[61] A game between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets at Camden Yards was delayed because of the storms.[62]
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