Miami – The tropical storm Chantal was formed off the southeast coast of the United States and was forecast to bring heavy rains to parts of the Carolinas on Saturday. Warnings of tropical storms for portions of the two states were issued, said the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
The storm center was about 65 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina, Saturday night, and 120 miles south-southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina. Its maximum sustained winds were recorded at 50 mph, and moved north to 8 mph.
Chantal rain bands moved on the coast, said the Hurricane Center, and the storm center was expected to move on South Carolina during the night or early Sunday with sudden floods as a growing concern. The storm was expected to weaken rapidly after land.
Heavy rains were forecast for the coastal plain of the Carolinas until Monday, total rain from 2 to 4 inches, with local quantities of up to 6 inches, threatening sudden floods.
