Tropical storm warnings were extended up to Surf City, North Carolina, as Tropical Storm Chantal churned off the coast of the southeastern U.S. on Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of 8 p.m. Saturday, July 5, Tropical Storm Chantal was moving closer to the South Carolina coast, and a tropical storm warning remained in effect for New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The National Hurricane Center says a broad area of low pressure off the Southeastern coast has officially been designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Three, which could produce flooding rains along the Carolinas during the next few days.