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“Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings remain in effect for portions of the northern Gulf Coast,” the National Hurricane Center said
NEED TO KNOW
- Tropical Storm Bertha is the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, with winds currently near 60 mph
- Officials have issued Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches for parts of the Gulf Coast, including Florida, Alabama and Louisiana
- The storm may cause flash flooding and storm surge up to 4 feet along the Gulf Coast through June 24
As Tropical Storm Bertha moves near the northern Gulf Coast, officials are warning of heavy rain and flooding.
The center of the storm — which is the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season — was located in the northeastern section of the Gulf of Mexico as of Tuesday, July 21, at 10 a.m. CST, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in a public advisory.
While the storm is moving toward the north-northwest, officials expect it to turn toward the west-northwest and west throughout Tuesday and into the night. It will continue west throughout the middle of the week, moving near or along the northern part of the Gulf Coast over the next several days.
So far, the maximum sustained winds have increased to close to 60 mph, but aren’t expected to strengthen further on Tuesday. Instead, winds are forecast to slowly weaken through the middle of this week, the agency said.
“Air Force Hurricane Hunters find Bertha has strengthened…” the National Hurricane Center said. “Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings remain in effect for portions of the northern Gulf Coast.”
On Tuesday, officials announced that the advisory had been upgraded to a tropical storm warning, impacting the Florida/Alabama border eastward to the Bay/Gulf County Line.
The same advisory has been extended westward to the Terrebonne/Lafourche Parish Line, while a tropical storm watch is in effect from Morgan City, La., to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line.
“Interests elsewhere in Louisiana and Texas should monitor the progress of this system,” the agency advised, “as additional watches or warnings could be required for portions of that area.”
The National Hurricane Center also said that there’s a potential for isolated flash flooding through Friday, July 24, along the Gulf Coast from the west of Florida into lower Louisiana and the coastline of northern Texas.
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Forecasters said that a storm surge was possible, with water rising up to 4 feet in some regions along the coast.
The hurricane season in the Atlantic goes from June 1 to Nov. 30.
“For the Atlantic hurricane region, the outlook indicates a 55% chance of a below-normal season,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said, “a 35% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of an above-normal season.”
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