Charleston, South Carolina – Tropical Storm Chantal is expected to bring potentially damaging winds to coastal South Carolina overnight, with the worst impacts targeting the Charleston and Colleton County shorelines by early Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, wind gusts along the coast could reach 35 mph, with isolated areas near Highway 17 and Interstate 526 possibly seeing gusts exceed 45 mph. The storm is expected to move onshore Sunday morning, with additional strengthening likely before landfall.
Communities in the Lowcountry should prepare for scattered power outages, hazardous travel over bridges, and possible debris. Offshore, gusts could top 50 knots near the storm’s center, making marine activity highly dangerous. Local emergency management officials urge residents to secure outdoor items and avoid non-essential travel, especially during peak gust periods overnight.
This is the first tropical system to directly impact South Carolina in the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. As of Saturday afternoon, the strongest wind threat remains concentrated along the immediate coastline, though inland areas may see breezy conditions.
More advisories and potential warnings may be issued as Chantal nears land. Residents should stay alert and monitor local alerts through Sunday.
