Update as of Saturday, July 5, 2025 (9:15 a.m.)
Brunswick County and the National Weather Service in Wilmington are monitoring Tropical Depression Three, which has now upgraded to Tropical Storm Chantal.
Tropical Storm Chantal continues to meander off of the Georgia coastline and is forecast to approach the South Carolina coast late tonight. Chantal will bring a variety of impacts to portions of the area, especially heavy rainfall, dangerous surf, and rough maritime conditions, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
There is a potential for flooding rainfall today through Sunday with the greatest risk across portions of northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina. The most likely rainfall amounts are expected to be 2 to 4 inches of rain with high end amounts of 6 inches or more possible. Possible impacts include flooding of prone and low-lying areas, some road scours or potential washouts.
A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for all of coastal northeastern South Carolina and coastal Brunswick County, as well as for coastal waters from South Santee to Cape Fear out to 20 nautical miles. A High Surf Advisory is in effect for Brunswick, Horry and Georgetown counties.
This is an evolving event and weather forecasts are subject to change. Remain alert for updates from the NWS-Wilmington at weather.gov/ilm and find the latest weather briefing at weather.gov/ilm/briefing.
Brunswick County will share available updates at brunswickcountync.gov/chantal.
Key Points from National Weather Service-Wilmington (NWS-Wilmington)
Latest briefing as of Saturday, July 5 at 9:15 a.m. / Next briefing is Saturday, July 5 by 5 p.m.
- Winds to tropical storm force are possible, especially along portions of Long Bay tonight into Sunday. These winds could cause some power outages and downed trees/limbs.
- Storm surge flooding of 1 to 3 feet inundation above ground level is possible, especially along Long Bay (Brunswick, Horry, and Georgetown counties) with each high tide this afternoon and early morning through Sunday.
- Rainfall flooding is expected, especially across some prone and low-lying areas with the heaviest rainfall occurring tonight into Sunday. The most likely rainfall amounts are expected to be 2 to 4 inches of rain with high end amounts of 6 inches or more possible.
- There is a low-end risk of tornadoes, with the greatest threat across coastal areas of northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina, especially this afternoon and tonight.
- Dangerous marine/surf conditions are expected, along with strong rip currents.
Best Practices & Safety Reminders
- Register for the ReadyBrunswick emergency notification system
- Remain alert for updates from the NWS-Wilmington at weather.gov/ilm and find the latest weather briefing at weather.gov/ilm/briefing.
- Have multiple ways to get weather information (local news and radio stations, NOAA weather radios, National Weather Service, emergency alert notifications, etc.)
- Have a plan. Know how you will keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe if flooding is forecast for your area. Make sure you consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if you aren’t together should flooding start.
- Never drive on flooded or barricaded roads—TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN!
- Know how to report power outages and downed electrical lines to your electric provider. Visit their websites to learn how to report these hazards to Duke Energy Progress or Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC).
Find more preparedness information and resources at brunswickcountync.gov/hurricanes