Tropical Depression Beryl Moves Off Atlantic Coast


Two days after slamming into northeast Florida, Beryl -- slightly strengthened but still a tropical depression -- prepared to re-enter the Atlantic on Wednesday, spreading heavy rain and blustery winds along the coast of the Carolinas. Beryl, which came ashore early Monday with 70 mph winds near Jacksonville Beach, Florida, increased its maximum sustained winds from 30 to 35 mph. Beryl swept through Charleston, South Carolina, early Wednesday, leaving more than 1,000 people out of power in several areas and spawning at least one tornado warning in an outlying countyIn the suburb of North Charleston, one family heard a loud noise during the night and found part of a tree had fallen on top of a car parked in the driveway.Flood watches were posted along coastal North Carolina ahead of Beryl's arrival and heavy rain was forecast. As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, Beryl's center was about 25 miles north-northeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and about 135 miles southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina. It was moving east-northeast at 14 mph. Beryl is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rain in the eastern Carolinas, with isolated amounts up to 8 inches.