Potential impacts include damage to porches, awnings, and mobile homes, scattered power outages, and road closures due to debris.

Although forecasters do not expect Chantal to become a hurricane, the storm is likely to dump several inches of heavy rainfall across the Carolinas.

MIAMI -- Tropical Storm Chantal has formed off the southeast U.S. coast. The National Hurricane Center in Miamia says tropical storm warnings have been issued for portions of the Carolinas. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the affected areas later Saturday.