Overview
- Bertha formed in the northeastern Gulf and by Wednesday was a slow westward-moving tropical storm with sustained winds near 50–60 mph as it approached southeastern Louisiana.
- The National Hurricane Center has tropical storm warnings from the Florida Panhandle west to Morgan City, Louisiana, including New Orleans, and forecasters expect landfall in southeastern Louisiana Wednesday evening.
- Primary hazards include 1–4 inches of rain with isolated higher totals that can cause flash flooding, 1–4 feet of coastal inundation in low-lying spots, dangerous surf and life‑threatening rip currents.
- Forecasters say dry air, moderate to strong wind shear and possible land interaction have kept Bertha lopsided and are likely to limit strengthening or cause weakening or dissipation after landfall.
- Offshore energy operators have taken precautions, local officials are issuing sandbags and warnings, and the storm’s slow track raises the chance of prolonged local impacts and a possible westward drift toward Texas later in the week.