Tropical storm Bertha weather update after Louisiana landfall
Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in southeast Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon and was back over the Gulf by Thursday morning, heading for a second Texas landfall. Winds near the center were 45 mph, moving west at 13 mph. Up to 3 feet of surge and life-threatening rip currents top tropical storm Bertha weather risks.
Key Takeaways
- Bertha made landfall in southeast Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon, then moved back over the ocean.
- As of 5 a.m. ET Thursday, the center was about 95 miles southeast of Lake Charles with 45 mph sustained winds.
- A tropical storm warning covers southern Louisiana to Brazosport, Texas, including Galveston.
- Up to 3 feet of storm surge is possible from the Mississippi River mouth to Port Bolivar, Texas.
- Corpus Christi could see 1 to 4 inches of rain through Thursday night before Bertha dissipates.
Where is Tropical Storm Bertha now?
According to ABC News, Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in southeast Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon. By early Thursday it was back over water, roughly 95 miles southeast of Lake Charles as of 5 a.m. ET.
Winds near the center were sustained at 45 mph. The storm was moving west at 13 mph, with gusts over 40 mph along parts of the Louisiana coast Thursday morning.
For live weather bulletins and streaming coverage of Gulf Coast alerts, check BlasterPost Streaming & TV Alerts.
When will Bertha hit Texas and how strong will it be?
Forecasters expect Bertha to hold near its current strength and make a second landfall along the Texas coast on Thursday, July 23, 2026. A tropical storm warning stretches from southern Louisiana along the Texas coast to Brazosport, including Galveston.
After that Texas landfall, Bertha is expected to dissipate quickly. That short inland lifespan still leaves a window of coastal wind, rain, and surge risk on Thursday.
What tropical storm Bertha weather hazards should you watch?
Storm surge of up to 3 feet could affect the coast from the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana to Port Bolivar, Texas. That water can flood low-lying roads, piers, and shorefront areas even when winds stay moderate.
Swells generated by Bertha will keep spreading westward along the northern Gulf Coast over the next few days. Those swells are likely to create life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Rainfall is another local concern. The Corpus Christi area could see the most rain from Bertha, with 1 to 4 inches possible through Thursday night.
Residents and visitors along the warned Louisiana and Texas coastline should keep following official watches, avoid the surf if rip currents are active, and treat surge forecasts seriously even as the storm is expected to weaken after landfall.