Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in southern Louisiana on Wednesday, bringing strong winds and storm surge to the area. The National Hurricane Center reported that Bertha made landfall in St. Bernard Parish, about 40 miles east of New Orleans, with maximum sustained winds of around 45 mph.

Storm Surge and Winds

The storm surge and winds were the main threats for the Deep South states, with parks and piers closed and some low-lying roads flooded. A tropical storm warning was in effect from Alabama to Louisiana, including New Orleans, where extreme heat was adding to the misery.

Onlookers watched the storm surge at the Lake Pontchartrain estuary, with kids splashing in the floodwaters as Bertha approached the Louisiana coast. Residents were advised to be prepared for some flooding, with storm surges up to 3 feet possible in Louisiana and Alabama.

Impact and Forecast

The storm is unlikely to leave behind widespread damage, according to Louisiana State Climatologist Jay Grymes. The impact should be manageable for coastal communities, he said. Gov. Jeff Landry called the forecast “encouraging” but also warned residents to be prepared for some flooding.

Bertha is expected to dissipate inland in Texas by Friday, the hurricane center said. The storm could dump heavy rain on coastal areas of Mississippi that are still recovering from flooding brought by Tropical Storm Arthur in June.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.