SerpApi.Org
July 22 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Bertha approached the coast of southeast Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon, bringing tropical storm conditions to the state.
The storm was about 35 miles south-southwest of Biloxi, Miss., and 60 miles east of New Orleans, the National Hurricane Center said in its 1 p.m. CDT update. The storm was traveling west-northwest at 7 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
There was a tropical storm warning in effect from the Alabama/Florida line west to Morgan City, La., metropolitan New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain. A tropical storm watch was in place from Morgan City, La., west to Sargent, Texas and Lake Maurepas.
"On the forecast track, the center of Bertha will move near or along the Louisiana and upper Texas coasts through Thursday, and then move farther inland into Texas on Friday," the NHC said.
Bertha is forecast to gradually weaken over the next several days and downgrade to a tropical depression after making landfall in Texas on Thursday evening.
Bertha, which formed Monday night, is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches with isolated higher totals through Thursday along the central Gulf Coast from western Florida into southern Louisiana. This could produce isolated flash flooding, especially in urban areas, the NHC said.
Surf conditions caused by Bertha will continue spreading west along the northern Gulf Coast, with swells likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions
