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Tropical Storm Bertha Local Statement Advisory Number 9
National Weather Service New Orleans LA  AL022026
1030 AM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

This product covers Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi

TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS ISSUED FOR MOUTH OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO
LAFOURCHE/TERREBONNE PARISH LINE.

COASTAL FLOOD WARNINGS NOW IN EFFECT MISSISSIPPI/ALABAMA BORDER TO
MOUTH OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Storm Surge Watch has been cancelled for Eastern Orleans,
      Lower Plaquemines, Lower St. Bernard, Southeast St. Tammany,
      Southern Hancock, Southern Harrison, and Southern Jackson
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Coastal Jefferson and Lower Lafourche

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Jefferson,
      Eastern Orleans, Lower Lafourche, Lower Plaquemines, Lower St.
      Bernard, Southeast St. Tammany, Southern Hancock, Southern
      Harrison, and Southern Jackson
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Central Jefferson,
      Central Plaquemines, Central St. Charles, Lower St. Charles,
      Lower Terrebonne, Northern Hancock, Northern Harrison, Northern
      Jackson, St. John The Baptist, Upper Jefferson, Upper
      Lafourche, Upper Plaquemines, Upper St. Bernard, Upper St.
      Charles, Upper Terrebonne, and Western Orleans

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 240 miles east of New Orleans LA or about 180 miles
      east-southeast of Gulfport MS
    - 29.3N 86.3W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 345 degrees at 3 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Tropical Storm Bertha is currently south of the coast of the Florida
Panhandle and will gradually continue to move northwest. Some slight
additional strengthening is possible on Tuesday prior to it turning
more westward toward southeast Louisiana on Wednesday. Bertha is
forecast to bring the threat of tropical storm force wind gusts 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 now in effect for coastal Mississippi and
Southeast St. Tammany to the Mouth of the Mississippi River. Coastal
Flood Advisories are now in effect for north and west shores of Lake
Pontchartrain and the Jefferson/Lafourche Parish Line to Morgan City,
Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect from the Bay/Gulf County Line in
Florida border west to the Lafourche/Terrebonne Parish Line in
southeast Louisiana. Tropical Storm Watches are in effect from the
Lafourche/Terrebonne Parish Line to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line,
Louisiana. Additionally, Tropical Storm Watches remain in effect for
the City of New Orleans including Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas,
inland portions of coastal Louisiana Parishes as well as inland
coastal Mississippi Counties of Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
portions of 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 coastal flooding having possible significant impacts
across coastal southeast 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, 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.

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.

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 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$