News Summary
Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall near Litchfield Beach, bringing maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and heavy rainfall. Now weakened to a tropical depression, flood watches have been issued for the Myrtle Beach area. As locals and tourists brace for the storm’s impact, safety warnings are in effect, advising against ocean activities due to dangerous surf and rip currents. The storm’s remnants could also lead to severe thunderstorms and tornado risks across the region. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and heed local authorities’ warnings.
Litchfield Beach, SC – Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall early Sunday morning, July 6, 2025, near Litchfield Beach, with maximum sustained winds of about 50 mph. The storm has since weakened significantly, now classified as a tropical depression, with winds down to 35 mph and moving at a speed of 8 mph as of noon. Flood watches have been issued for the Myrtle Beach area and are set to continue through Monday.
The storm developed over the Fourth of July weekend, raising alerts across the region. A tropical storm watch was first put in place for the Myrtle Beach area on Saturday, July 5, signaling the potential for severe weather. As Chantal made its approach, it prompted concerns and precautions among locals and tourists alike.
The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory until 8 p.m. on Sunday, warning of dangerous surf conditions and a high risk of rip currents along the Myrtle Beach coast. Inexperienced swimmers are urged to stay out of the ocean, as conditions can change rapidly. Visitors to Myrtle Beach have acknowledged the impact of the storm on their holiday plans but are finding ways to enjoy indoor activities while staying safe.
In addition to the coastal impacts, heavy rain associated with Chantal is expected to produce significant flooding. Rainfall amounts in some areas may reach as high as six inches. Most of the rain from the storm is anticipated to fall north of the storm’s center. Central North Carolina and south-central Virginia have also been placed under flood watches, with rainfall totals in these regions projected to range from 2 to 4 inches, with some localized areas exceeding six inches.
Furthermore, meteorologists have warned that Chantal’s remnants could trigger severe thunderstorms and the potential for tornadoes across eastern North Carolina as the storm continues to move northeast. As a result, life-threatening surf and rip currents are forecasted for coastal areas extending from northeastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic.
The storm’s landfall marks the earliest date for such an event in the United States since 2022, making Tropical Storm Chantal the first tropical storm of the season to directly impact the U.S. This early arrival highlights the unpredictable nature of tropical weather patterns along the Eastern Seaboard.
As Chantal continues to weaken, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and breezy conditions are predicted to linger throughout Sunday. The storm’s path may result in locally heavy showers and storms ranging from Washington D.C. to New York and Boston on the following Monday.
Residents and visitors are advised to remain vigilant of changing conditions and heed warnings from local authorities and lifeguards. Precautions and preparedness are essential, especially given the heavy rainfall, wind, and rip current risks associated with the storm.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Myrtle Beach Braces for Tropical Storm Chantal
Tropical Storm Chantal Approaches the Carolinas
Search Ongoing for Missing Swimmer at North Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach Enforces Extended Curfew for Minors Amid Youth Violence Concerns
Tropical Depression 3 Develops Off the Southeastern U.S. Coast
Additional Resources
- WMBF News: Tourists in Myrtle Beach Talk Tropical Storm
- Wikipedia: Tropical Storm
- Washington Post: Tropical Storm Chantal Landfall
- Google Search: Tropical Storm Chantal
- ABC News: Tropical Storm Warnings Extended
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tropical Storm
- WBTW: Tropical Storm Chantal Leaves Grand Strand
- Google News: Tropical Storm Chantal
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
