Tropical Storm Bertha moved back over the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday morning after crossing southern Louisiana, heading west toward the Texas coast with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
The storm made its initial landfall Wednesday afternoon in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. As of 8 a.m. EDT Thursday, Bertha was traveling west at 13 mph and is expected to maintain tropical storm strength before making a second landfall on the upper Texas coast Thursday afternoon.
Forecasters warned that heavy rain and storm surge remain the main hazards as the system progresses. Tropical Storm Warnings are active westward to Cameron, Louisiana, with a Tropical Storm Watch extending to Sargent, Texas.
“Flooding rain and storm surge remain the primary threats,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Breanna Grill said. “The highest additional rainfall totals of 2-4 inches are expected across a portion of southern and coastal Texas. The Texas Hill Country may be especially susceptible to flash flooding following last week’s catastrophic flooding.”
While residents in Louisiana reported coastal flooding, many noted that the storm served as a useful practice run for future weather events this hurricane season. However, dangerous conditions persisted further east along the Gulf Coast.
On Dauphin Island, Alabama, storm surge and high waves submerged or buried at least six or seven vehicles as drivers attempted to navigate flooded roads.
“Just because conditions aren’t bad in the short term, you should stay hunkered indoors and let the system move past,” AccuWeather storm chaser Aaron Rigsby reported from the scene. “It’s not worth losing your property or, in some cases, putting your life at risk.”
Along with localized road flooding, coastal areas in Alabama and Louisiana experienced beach erosion, rough surf, and high risks of rip currents, which officials warn will continue well away from the storm’s center throughout Thursday.
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