SCEMD Tracking Tropical Storm Chantal

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Chantal, which is located south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Chantal will begin impacting the state on Saturday, bringing heavy rain, isolated flash flooding, gusty winds, and high rip currents through Monday. 

SCEMD officials are working closely with the members of the State Emergency Response team, the National Weather Service, and local officials to provide updated information and guidance on the storm’s potential effects.

Rip currents are powerful, fast-moving channels of water that can pull swimmers away from shore quickly. The National Weather Service reports these currents can be difficult to spot and are especially dangerous for unsuspecting beachgoers. Swimming against a rip current can lead to exhaustion; instead, swim parallel to the shore to escape the current.

SCEMD urges all coastal residents and visitors to:

• Stay out of the ocean during periods of high rip current risk.
• Monitor official weather alerts and trusted local news sources.
• Follow all instructions from local emergency officials.

The official 2025 South Carolina Hurricane Guide is available in English and Spanish at scemd.org.