Tropical Storm Bertha nears Texas Gulf Coast with storm surge and flooding hazard
Tropical Storm Bertha, centered approximately 145 miles west-southwest of New Orleans with 45 mph sustained winds, is moving westward toward the Texas coast. Tropical storm warnings are in effect from Louisiana to Texas through this afternoon, with flood and surge hazards expected.
Tropical Storm Bertha is moving westward near the Louisiana coast with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph (75 km/h), according to the National Hurricane Center. At 7:00 AM CDT Thursday, July 23, 2026, the storm's center was located approximately 145 miles (230 km) west-southwest of New Orleans and roughly 70 miles (110 km) southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The minimum central pressure is 1003 millibars (29.62 inches).
Bertha is moving toward the west near 13 mph (20 km/h) and is forecast to move near or along the Louisiana and upper Texas coasts through this afternoon, then move farther inland over Texas this evening and tonight. The storm is expected to maintain tropical storm intensity until reaching the upper Texas coast later today, then dissipate inland over Texas by tonight or Friday.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Gulf Coast from the Terrebonne/Lafourche Parish line, Louisiana, to Sargent, Texas. Tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 24 hours. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km) from the center. The National Ocean Service station at Eugene Island, Louisiana, recently reported sustained winds of 36 mph (58 km/h) with a wind gust of 45 mph (73 km/h).
Storm surge combined with tide will cause normally dry areas near the immediate coast to be flooded, with water potentially reaching 1 to 3 feet above ground from Port Bolivar, Texas, to the Mouth of the Mississippi River, Louisiana. Bertha is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with isolated totals reaching 6 inches through tonight along the Texas Gulf Coast and South Texas. Rainfall may produce isolated flash flooding, especially in urban areas.
Swells generated by Bertha are spreading westward along the northern and northwestern Gulf Coast and are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. No changes to watches and warnings are in effect with the latest advisory.
Tropical Storm Bertha is positioned 145 miles west-southwest of New Orleans with 45 mph sustained winds, moving westward near 13 mph toward the Louisiana and upper Texas coasts.
Bertha is forecast to move inland over Texas by this evening and dissipate by Friday, with tropical storm warnings remaining in effect along the northwestern Gulf through today. The immediate threat centers on storm surge reaching 1 to 3 feet along portions of the Texas and Louisiana coasts and rainfall-driven flooding in urban areas.
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