MIAMITropical Storm As Chantal got closer to the southeast coast of the United States, its power increased. Parts of the Carolinas are expected to get heavy rains on Sunday.
Parts of the two states were under tropical storm warnings, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.
Early on Sunday, the storm was 85 miles (136 kilometers) southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina, and roughly 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Charleston, South Carolina. It was traveling north at 8 mph (13 kph) and had recorded maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (96 kph).
The storm center reported that flash flooding were becoming a greater worry as rain bands from Chantal moved onshore.
The storm was predicted to diminish quickly as it moves across land and make landfall in South Carolina in the coming hours.
Through Monday, heavy rain was predicted for some areas of North Carolina, with localized totals of up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) and totals of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters), which could cause flash floods.
Residents had already received warnings from South Carolina’s Emergency Management division about the potential for minor coastal flooding and localized tornadoes along the coast.
Additionally, it cautioned drivers against traveling on roads that were covered with water or near road closure signs in areas affected by flooding.
