MIAMI (AP) _ Tropical Depression Beryl is heading back toward the ocean as it brings rains to South Carolina.
The depression’s maximum sustained winds increased early Wednesday to near 35 mph (55 kph).
Additional strengthening is expected and the U.S. National Hurricane Center says Beryl could regain tropical storm strength later in the day.
Beryl is expected to dump up to 6 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of 8 inches, in northeastern South Carolina and eastern North Carolina.
The depression is centered about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north-northeast of Charleston, S.C., and is moving east-northeast near 14 mph (22 kph).
On that track, forecasters say the depression’s expected to skim along the South Carolina coast before moving back over the Atlantic.
