Tropical Depression Chantal Triggers Life-Threatening Floods North Carolina, Virginia

Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, early Sunday morning, becoming the first named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season to hit the United States. The storm was downgraded to a tropical depression as it moved inland toward central and eastern North Carolina, bringing heavy rainfall ranging from 2 to 6 inches and causing widespread flash flooding, road closures, and water rescues in the region. Despite the downgrade, Chantal continues to pose significant flood risks with hazardous surf and rip currents extending from northeastern Florida to the mid-Atlantic states. Emergency management officials have warned residents to avoid waterlogged roads, unnecessary travel, and heed local advisories due to the ongoing threat. Flood watches remain in effect through Monday in North Carolina and parts of Virginia, where some areas could see localized rainfall totals up to 6 inches. The storm's impacts highlight the heightened vulnerability of these areas during the early active phase of the Atlantic hurricane season.