A flood watch was in effect July 7 for several states, including Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. "Storm total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with local amounts up to 6 inches, is expected," the Weather Prediction Center said in a 5 a.m. ET update. "An elevated risk for flash flooding will continue."

Tropical Storm Chantal has been downgraded to a tropical depression but is raising concerns of flash flooding in central North Carolina and south-central Virginia.

Dozens of residents needed to be rescued from rising water, and hundreds of roads were closed as the storm moved over the central part of North Carolina.