New Orleans, LA – Tropical Storm Bertha continued to wobble just south of the Mississippi Coast Wednesday morning, bringing the threat of tropical storm conditions, coastal flooding, and heavy rainfall across portions of the northern Gulf Coast through tonight.
According to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. EDT (10 a.m. CDT) Advisory 13 issued Wednesday, July 22, Bertha is expected to continue affecting areas from the western Florida Panhandle westward to southeastern Louisiana, including the Metro New Orleans area, through Wednesday night. Tropical storm conditions are also possible along parts of southwestern Louisiana and the upper Texas coast from Wednesday night into late Thursday.
A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect for portions of the Mississippi and Louisiana coastlines, where moderate coastal flooding is expected. The National Hurricane Center also said isolated flash flooding remains possible through Friday morning from northwest Florida westward across the central Gulf Coast to southern Texas.
Farther west, the National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Chambers County and the coastal portions of Galveston and Brazoria counties, including Galveston Bay and adjacent northern waters. The watch remains in effect through 6 a.m. Friday.
Forecasters expect Bertha to weaken before reaching the upper Texas coast, likely becoming a tropical depression as it makes landfall Thursday. Even so, tropical storm conditions remain possible within the watch area, and residents are urged to complete preparations before weather conditions deteriorate.
Officials encourage residents across the Gulf Coast to monitor the latest forecasts, heed local emergency guidance, and avoid driving through flooded roadways. Forecasts and watches may change as Bertha continues moving westward.
