Tropical Storm Bertha Makes Landfall Again
Tropical Storm Bertha brought heavy surf and flooding to parts of southern Louisiana and Texas on Thursday. This was the storm’s second time coming ashore on the Gulf Coast before it weakened into a tropical depression. The National Hurricane Center reported wind gusts of tropical storm force along the upper Texas coast. They also warned that water levels might remain high due to storm surge.
Rainfall and Flooding Concerns
By the evening, Bertha had dissipated according to the hurricane center. However, its remnants were projected to produce 1 to 3 inches of rainfall, with isolated totals up to 4 inches. This raised concerns about potential flash flooding in coastal and south Texas.
On Wednesday, Bertha initially grazed southern Louisiana during a slow westward movement. Upon its second landfall northeast of Galveston, Texas, on Thursday afternoon, the storm weakened but stayed classified as a tropical storm for a few hours. It was later downgraded with maximum winds of 38 mph or less.
Impact on Space Launch and Local Precautions
Thick clouds from Bertha led SpaceX to postpone its planned Starship launch in Texas, rescheduling for Friday due to expected clear skies. Thankfully, no deaths or major damage have been reported since Bertha formed in the Gulf of Mexico. Some coastal areas in Louisiana experienced flooding, but heavy rains concentrated over the Gulf waters.
In Galveston, officials anticipated a “windy day” and advised residents to secure outdoor objects. Despite warnings, most local businesses remained operational, including the Galveston Historic Seaport and Harbor House Hotel and Marina.
Minimal Damage Across Gulf Coast
Electrical outages were limited according to poweroutage.us, yet Bertha did cause minor damage. In Pensacola, Florida, the storm damaged a boardwalk leading officials to close the area for safety. Earlier gales in Panama City Beach toppled a Waffle House sign onto a car, escalating beach warnings about rip tides and strong surf.
Broader Context of the Hurricane Season
Bertha is only the second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season following Arthur, which affected the southeastern U.S. with heavy rain in June. Meanwhile, hurricane activity persisted in the eastern Pacific Ocean, where Hurricane Fausto churned far from land. It was located over 1,000 miles west-southwest of Baja California’s southern tip with winds of 80 mph. The hurricane center cautioned that Fausto might cause threatening surf and rip tides in southern California.