Tropical Storm Bertha Strengthens Near Gulf Coast, NHC Issues Warnings
Tropical Storm Bertha intensified to 50 mph winds and is moving toward the northern Gulf Coast, prompting tropical storm warnings and watches across parts of Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana.
Tropical Storm Bertha gained strength overnight, reaching sustained winds of 50 mph with gusts higher, as it moved northwest toward the Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 a.m. advisory. The storm was located about 100 miles south-southwest of Panama City, Florida, and 175 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama, and its tropical-storm-force winds extended up to 80 miles from the center.
"A slow northwestward to west-northwestward motion is expected today followed by a turn westward by the middle part of this week," NHC senior hurricane specialist Philippe Papin said. "On the forecast track, Bertha will move near or along the northern Gulf Coast during the next several days."
The agency issued a tropical storm warning from the Alabama/Florida border west to the Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish line in Louisiana, with a tropical storm watch remaining in Florida from the Bay/Gulf County line west to the Alabama border. Additional watches cover areas west of the Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish line to Morgan City, Louisiana, as well as metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. A storm surge watch is also in effect from the Alabama/Florida border to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Bertha, which became a named storm on Monday with 40 mph winds, could strengthen to about 60 mph today, but forecasters note that dry air and increasing wind shear may weaken the system within 48 hours. The NHC expects tropical-storm conditions in the warned area through Tuesday and Wednesday, with possible conditions in the watch area of the Florida Panhandle later Tuesday.
Storm surge of 1-3 feet is forecast for the Florida coast from Indian Pass to Chassahowitzka, while 2-4 feet could affect the area from the Mississippi River mouth to the Alabama-Florida border, and 1-3 feet from Morgan City, Louisiana to Lake Pontchartrain. Rainfall totals of 2-4 inches, with isolated amounts up to 6 inches, are expected through Thursday across the Gulf Coast and inland regions, raising flash-flood concerns. Coastal swells may produce hazardous surf and rip currents.