Tropical Storm Bertha impacted southern Louisiana and Texas, causing heavy surf and some flooding. The storm made landfall on the Gulf Coast for the second time on Thursday, later weakening to a tropical depression. The National Hurricane Center reported the possibility of wind gusts reaching tropical storm force along the upper Texas coast on Thursday evening. Storm surge led to high water levels in the area.
By later in the evening, Bertha was declared dissipated. However, its remnants were projected to produce 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 centimeters) of rainfall. Some areas might receive up to 4 inches (10.1 centimeters), potentially causing flash flooding in coastal and south Texas.
Initially, Bertha grazed southern Louisiana on Wednesday, moving slowly westward. It weakened upon its second landfall, located about 75 miles (115 kilometers) northeast of Galveston, Texas. The storm remained classified as a tropical storm for several hours before downgrading to a depression with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (61 kph) or less.
Bertha’s thick clouds led SpaceX to postpone the evening’s planned Starship launch from southern Texas. The space test flight rescheduled for Friday, anticipating favorable weather conditions.
No fatalities or significant damage reported since Bertha formed in the Gulf of Mexico south of the Florida Panhandle.
Coastal flooding occurred when the storm’s center initially hit land Wednesday in Louisiana southwest of New Orleans, but the heaviest rains stayed offshore. Satellite imagery showed rainfall associated with Bertha moving inland along southeastern Texas by Thursday afternoon.
Tropical storm force winds on Thursday extended up to 140 miles (225 kilometers) from the storm’s center. The tropical storm warning extended from Sargent, Texas to the Vermilion and Cameron Parish line in Louisiana was discontinued by the evening.
Galveston Adapts to Storm Conditions
In Galveston, local officials cautioned residents about a “windy day” and advised securing outdoor objects to prevent them from becoming airborne. Despite no significant impacts expected, gusty storms might sweep through the island city.
The Galveston Historic Seaport canceled sightseeing boat tours as a precaution, yet other operations continued as usual. “We’ll definitely be open,” said Jesi Hahn, a seaport employee.
At Harbor House Hotel and Marina, Justin Timber noted no disturbances in reservations. “It seems like a normal day,” Timber remarked, highlighting ongoing activities at local businesses and restaurants.
Minimal Electrical Outages and Some Damage Reports
Across the Gulf Coast, electrical outages were minimal. However, Bertha’s impact was not without challenges.
In Pensacola, Florida, officials shut down an area near a storm-damaged beach boardwalk. Mayor D.C. Reeves posted a storm damage photo on Facebook showing structural damage to the boardwalk.
Earlier in the week, Panama City Beach experienced strong winds, toppling a Waffle House sign onto a car. Beaches along the Gulf Coast issued warnings for swimmers about the heavy surf and rip tide risks.
Bertha represents the second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The previous storm, Tropical Storm Arthur, affected the southeastern U.S. in June.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Fausto in the eastern Pacific continued far from land. Located over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) west-southwest of Baja California, it maintained maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph). The hurricane center warned about swells from Fausto potentially causing dangerous surf and rip tides in southern California.
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