Tropical Storm Bertha weakens to Tropical Depression

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — Bertha is expected to maintain weak tropical-storm strength today as it moves closer to the Texas coast. Aside from an elevated risk for rip currents at Southwest Florida beaches through this evening, no additional impacts are expected, as Bertha's influence pulls away.

Tropical storm conditions (with sustained winds of 40 mph) are expected to spread along the northwestern Gulf Coast from south central Louisiana to the upper Texas coast today. Isolated flash flooding is possible along the Texas Gulf Coast and South Texas through tonight.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. Thursday update, Bertha is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph, and this motion with some increase in forward speed is expected during Friday.

The center of Bertha will move across portions of Eastern Texas during the next several hours.

With continued onshore winds, a Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for portions of the Mississippi and Louisiana coastlines, where moderate coastal flooding is expected.

As of 5:00 a.m., Bertha was centered about 145 miles west of New Orleans, moving west at about 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. The storm is expected to continue on a westward to west-northwestward path today before curving west-southwest on Friday, tracking near or along the Louisiana and upper Texas coasts before moving further inland into Texas by tonight. Little strengthening is expected, and Bertha is forecast to weaken and dissipate over Texas by Friday.

Warnings updated: The Tropical Storm Warning has been dropped for the Louisiana coast east of the Terrebonne/Lafourche Parish line. A warning remains in effect from that line westward to Sargent, Texas, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected in that zone within 24 hours.

Impacts:

• Wind: Tropical storm conditions will keep spreading across the northern and northwestern Gulf Coast through today. Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 160 miles, mainly southeast of the center; a Gulf oil platform recently measured gusts near 56 mph.
• Storm surge: Coastal flooding of 1-3 feet above ground is possible from Port Bolivar, Texas to the mouth of the Mississippi River, especially if surge coincides with high tide.
• Rainfall: Bertha is expected to bring 2-4 inches of rain, with isolated totals up to 6 inches, across the Texas Gulf Coast and South Texas through tonight, raising the risk of isolated flash flooding in urban areas. 

Bertha is expected to gradually weaken and is forecast to dissipate later Thursday or on Friday.