Tropical Storm Bertha began weakening Wednesday as it moved slowly west along the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm's strongest sustained winds near its center were down to 50 mph.
A tropical storm warning remained in effect Wednesday from Mobile, Alabama, to New Orleans, Louisiana. A tropical storm is defined as a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 mph to 73 mph.
Parts of southern Louisiana could experience tropical storm winds of more than 40 mph on Wednesday night. Panama City Beach, Florida, recorded a 40 mph wind gust overnight into Wednesday. Near New Orleans, 1 to 4 inches of rain were possible, with heaviest amounts expected south of the city. Storm surge generally between 1 and 3 feet was also possible in the northern Gulf.
Pensacola Bay, Florida, reported about 2 feet of storm surge inundation Wednesday morning, causing minor flooding in typically flood-prone areas. Similar minor coastal flooding was expected in southern Alabama and Mobile Bay on Wednesday morning, with a possibility of recurrence during high tide Thursday morning.
The storm was expected to bring a high risk of deadly rip currents along the Gulf Coast, stretching from southwest Florida to Louisiana. Surf of 8 to 11 feet was possible from the western Florida panhandle through southern Alabama.
As Bertha or its remnants move inland, little was forecast for west Texas by Thursday evening and Friday, aside from light rain and breezy conditions.