Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall Wednesday afternoon in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, approximately 40 miles east of New Orleans, and was moving west toward Texas early Thursday morning. The storm's path led to the closure of beaches along the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to Mississippi.
As of early Thursday, Bertha was situated about 110 miles southwest of New Orleans and 120 miles southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana. It was traveling west at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The primary concerns for the affected Gulf Coast states were wind and storm surge. Parks, piers, and some low-lying roads were closed. A tropical storm warning extended from Alabama to Louisiana, encompassing New Orleans, where residents contended with extreme heat in addition to the storm's effects.
This confluence of tropical storm and extreme heat warnings was a rare occurrence for southern Louisiana, marking the first time in at least two decades that both conditions have been present simultaneously, according to the National Weather Service.
Tropical storm-force winds were felt as far as 160 miles from the storm's center. In Panama City Beach, Florida, a wind gust of 44 mph toppled a Waffle House sign onto a car. However, the heaviest rainfall remained offshore, mitigating the risk of widespread flooding.
Louisiana State Climatologist Jay Grymes indicated that the storm was unlikely to cause extensive damage, suggesting the impact should be manageable for coastal communities. Governor Jeff Landry described the forecast as encouraging but urged residents to prepare for potential flooding.
Forecasters predicted storm surges of up to 3 feet in Louisiana and Alabama, with rainfall totals expected to range between 1 and 4 inches, though isolated areas could see higher amounts.
Bertha is the second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, following Tropical Storm Arthur in June, which brought significant rainfall to the southeastern U.S. Bertha's rains could impact coastal Mississippi areas still recovering from flooding caused by Arthur.
Elsewhere, a separate line of storms on Tuesday produced reports of tornadoes from Cincinnati to New Jersey, and torrential rains led to flash floods, washed-out bridges, and water rescues in West Virginia.
In the eastern Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Fausto was moving hundreds of miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. Fausto was forecast to strengthen gradually, and its associated ocean swells were expected to cause dangerous surf and rip currents along the Baja California coast.