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."

On the heels of Tropical Depression Chantal, climatologists are warning that storms like it could become more common.