MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Chantal was downgraded t
a depression Sunday but raised concerns of possible flash flooding as it makes its way through central North Carolina toward south-central Virginia.
Chantal made landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, at about 4 a.m. EDT Sunday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. At 5 p.m., it was locat
d about 65 miles (105 kilometers) south-southwest of Raleigh, North Carolina, and was moving north-northeast a
t 10 mph (17 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 kph).
The system was expected to turn more to the northeast late Sunday as it weakens over North Carolina but may strengthen slightly as it approaches the Virgini
a Capes on Monday. Flood watches were issued for central North Carolina and south-central Virginia through Monday, wi
th total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) and
local amounts up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) that could lead to flash flooding, the hurricane center said.
Forecasters said dangerous surf and rip currents at beaches from nort
heastern Florida to the mid-Atlantic states are expected to last for the next couple of days.
Two more property insurers have put their toes in the Florida ma
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rket this summer, bringing to 14 the number of new carriers in the state since 2023. It’s another sign that le
gislative discouragement of claims litigation has made a difference and h
as encouraged more competition in the state, Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky said.
“Our market is becoming more and more competitive, and we continue to see great progress in rate r
r rate decreases or 0% increases so far this year,” Yaworsky said in a statement Friday.
The number of new insurance companies or new subsidiaries of existing carriers entering Florida since early 2023 now exceeds the number of property insurer inso
lvencies seen from 2020 to 2023, during the depths of the Florida property insurance crisis.
Incline National Insurance, based in Austin, Texas, and part of Incline Insurance Group, received its certificate of authority in April. It will offer homeowners multiperil, allied lines, inland marine, workers’ compensation and private passenger auto insurance policies, the Office of Insurance Regulation reported.