Flood Threats and Heat Relief from Chantal, Eastern U.S. Storms

Heavy rain from Tropical Rainstorm Chantal is drenching parts of the eastern United States, with more unsettled weather expected throughout the week. The system, which began as a tropical depression off the Florida coast and strengthened into Tropical Storm Chantal, has since weakened but continues to unleash significant rain and trigger flash flooding across the Carolinas and beyond.

As Chantal moves further inland and transitions into a post-tropical system, its moisture remains a concern. Several areas in the Carolinas have already recorded 5 to 10 inches of rainfall, with localized flash flooding reported. Even as wind speeds weaken, remnants of tropical systems like Chantal often continue to pose threats, especially in the form of torrential rain and severe thunderstorms.

The storm is expected to bring 1 to 4 inches of rain from eastern Virginia to southern New Jersey and parts of Long Island through Monday night. Some locations may see higher totals in a short time span—enough to overwhelm drainage systems and cause localized flooding. The risk will be highest where rainfall combines with daytime heat and atmospheric instability.

Thunderstorms are also forecast to develop farther north and west, particularly along a slow-moving front extending from the Midwest through the eastern Great Lakes. Some of these storms could produce damaging winds or brief downbursts in addition to heavy rain.