Louisiana, Mississippi Moderate Tropical Cyclone Local Statement | Effective 07/22/2026 02:24

HLSLIX This product covers Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS ARE IN PLACE FOR THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS INCLUDING ORLEANS, JEFFERSON, ST. CHARLES AND UPPER PLAQUEMINES PARISHES AS WELL AS LOWER TERREBONNE PARISH. NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Central Jefferson, Central Plaquemines, Central St. Charles, Coastal Jefferson, Eastern Orleans, Lower Lafourche, Lower Plaquemines, Lower St. Bernard, Lower St. Charles, Lower Terrebonne, Southeast St. Tammany, Southern Hancock, Southern Harrison, Southern Jackson, Upper Jefferson, Upper Plaquemines, Upper St. Bernard, Upper St. Charles, and Western Orleans - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Northern Hancock, Northern Harrison, Northern Jackson, St. John The Baptist, Upper Lafourche, and Upper Terrebonne * STORM INFORMATION: - About 120 miles east-southeast of New Orleans LA or about 80 miles southeast of Gulfport MS - 29.4N 88.3W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement West or 270 degrees at 5 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Bertha is currently south of Mobile Bay and will continue its westward track moving at 6 mph. Most of its activity is well into the Gulf, south of southeast Louisiana. It has decreased slightly in strength since the 10 PM CDT advisory, now has peak winds at 50 mph, and is expected to continue slowly weakening. Impacts to the area are expected through early Thursday morning. Bertha is forecast to bring the threat of tropical storm force wind gusts to coastal areas of Plaquemines, Jefferson, Lafourche, and Terrebonne Parishes and locally heavy rainfall generally south of I- 10, and coastal flooding of up to 2 to 4 feet above normally dry ground. The coastal areas of Mississippi and southeast Louisiana will have the greatest threat, especially along and south of I-10. Coastal Flood Warnings are in effect for coastal Mississippi and Southeast St. Tammany to the Mouth of the Mississippi River. Coastal Flood Advisories are in effect for north and west shores of Lake Pontchartrain and the Jefferson/Lafourche Parish Line to Morgan City, Louisiana. Tropical Storm Warnings are now in effect for the New Orleans Metro area as well as Lake Pontchartrain and Lakes Salvador and Catoaouatche. Along the coast, Tropical Storm Warnings are now in effect from the Bay/Gulf County Line in Florida border west to Morgan City, Louisiana. Additionally, Tropical Storm Watches remain in effect for St. John Parish, inland portions Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes, Lake Maurepas, as well as inland portions of coastal Mississippi Counties of Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across coastal Louisiana and Mississippi. Potential impacts in this area include: - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast. - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots. - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents. - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages. Elsewhere across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. * TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown! If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in New Orleans LA around 10 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.