The Gulf Coast is bracing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Bertha which is expected to make landfall near Plaquemines Parish by Wednesday afternoon. The storm, which strengthened overnight, is currently moving northwest through the Gulf with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.
Residents along the southeastern Louisiana coast are urged to prepare for gusty windsminor to moderate storm surge flooding and heavy rain that could lead to localized flash flooding in urban areas. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings and watches for the region, advising residents to take necessary precautions.
Expected Impact and Timing
As of Tuesday afternoon, Bertha was located about 90 miles southwest of Panama City, Florida and 125 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama. The storm is moving at a speed of 5 mph and is expected to weaken slightly before making landfall. By Wednesday morning, the maximum sustained winds are forecast to drop to 50 mph, and by Thursday morning, they are expected to further decrease to 40 mph.
The bulk of the rainfall and wind is anticipated to occur south of the storm’s center due to wind shear, which is giving the storm an asymmetrical shape. This means that if the storm tracks farther north, some of the more impactful weather could move onshore. The storm is expected to be in the southeastern coastal waters near Louisiana by sunrise Wednesday and move onshore in lower Plaquemines Parish in the afternoon.
Watches and Warnings
A tropical storm warning is in effect from Alabama westward to southeastern Louisiana, up to the Lafourche-Terrebonne parish line. Tropical storm watches are in effect across the Louisiana coastline to the Vermilion-Cameron parish line. Tropical storm conditions are possible for portions of metro New Orleans and the Louisiana Gulf Coast.
Winds are expected to pick up speed Tuesday night, with gusts of over 39 mph reaching southeast Louisiana by 2 a.m. Wednesday and moving west through the day. A coastal flooding warning has also been issued for parts of southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi coast, with 2 to 4 feet of flooding projected for areas east of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Inland cities could see less rain, with 2 to 4 inches of rain expected along the coast of southeast Louisiana through Thursday.
Preparation and Safety Tips
With the tropical storm expected to make landfall Wednesday, NWS forecasters have advised residents to begin their preparations to stay safe and protect their property. Residents should be in a safe location ahead of the start of strong winds or potential flooding. If they need to move to a safe shelter, they should leave as early as possible and give themselves extra time to get there safely.
Cell phones should be well-charged, and residents should keep track of the National Weather Service and local news stations for updates. Authorities in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida have opened sites to provide sandbags to residents, and red flag warnings have been posted along some beaches advising swimmers about the dangers of rip tides.