This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas TROPICAL STORM BERTHA DEVELOPS SOUTH OF FLORIDA PANHANDLE. TROPICAL STORM WATCHES NOW IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA. NEW INFORMATION --------------- CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Lower Iberia, Lower St. Mary, and Lower Vermilion CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Lower Iberia, Lower St. Mary, and Lower Vermilion STORM INFORMATION: - About 420 miles east of Cameron LA or about 290 miles east of Morgan City LA - 29.3N 86.3W - Storm Intensity 60 mph - Movement North-northwest or 345 degrees at 3 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Bertha is currently located in the northeastern Gulf and is slowly moving northwest. Some additional strengthening is possible as the storm tracks along the coast of central and southwest Louisiana. Bertha is forecasted to bring tropical storm force gusts and locally heavy rainfall for areas south of I-10. Storm surge up to 3 feet will be possible across from Morgan city to the Vermilion/Cameron parish line. A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Morgan city to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish line. A tropical storm watch is in effect for Vermilion bay and the eastern coastal waters. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- SURGE: Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across Vermilion Bay. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across portions of southwest Louisiana. 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 Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across portions of southwest Louisiana. 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. Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. 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 Lake Charles LA around 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.