Tropical Storm Chantal brought wind and rain to the Carolinas on Sunday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located at latitude 33.6°N and longitude 79.1°W which put the center about 5 miles (10 km) west of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.   Chantal was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from South Santee River, South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina.

The center of Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall on the coast of South Carolina just to the west of Myrtle Beach early on Sunday.  The distribution of wind and rain in Chantal was asymmetrical.  Heavier rain was occurring in bands in the eastern side of Chantal’s circulation.  Bands in the western part of Tropical Storm Chantal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Chantal was also asymmetrical.  The strongest winds were occurring in bands of thunderstorms in the northeastern part of Chantal’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Chantal.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the western side of Chantal.

Tropical Storm Chantal will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Chantal toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Chantal will move inland over eastern North Carolina.

Tropical Storm Chantal will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to eastern South Carolina and to eastern North Carolina.  Chantal will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland.  The heaviest rain and strongest winds will occur in the northeastern part of Chantal’s circulation.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Storm Chantal could cause a storm surge of up to four feet (one meter).  Chantal will also bring high waves to the coast. The waves could cause beach erosion.

Flood Watches are in effect for portions of eastern South Carolina and Eastern North Carolina.