Tropical Storm Bertha Strengthens, Threatens Gulf Coast

Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to make landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast by Wednesday night, bringing heavy rain, storm surge, and damaging winds. Source: AP

Storm Status and Track

As of Tuesday morning, Bertha was centered about 110 miles south of Panama City, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and moving northwest at 5 mph. Source: The Guardian A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Florida-Alabama border to Morgan City, Louisiana, including New Orleans. Source: AP Forecasters expect the storm to make landfall in southeastern Louisiana, but strong wind shear and dry air may limit intensification. Source: CNN

Expected Impacts

• Rainfall: Widespread totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated amounts up to 8 inches, from western Florida to the upper Texas coast, raising the risk of flash flooding. Source: BBC
• Storm surge: Life-threatening surges of 1 to 4 feet possible along the Mississippi and Louisiana coasts and from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Alabama-Florida border. Source: NPR
• Wind: Tropical storm-force winds (39+ mph) expected within the warning area, with higher gusts that could cause isolated power outages.