Tropical Storm Bertha Makes Landfall Again, Causes Minor Disruptions
Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall for the second time near the Texas-Louisiana border. It previously grazed southern Louisiana, bringing heavy surf and some flooding along the Gulf Coast of the United States. Meteorologists warned of potential additional flooding as the storm’s heavy rains moved inland toward southeastern Texas.
By Thursday afternoon, Bertha moved inland about 120 kilometers northeast of Galveston, Texas, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported. Three hours later, it maintained its tropical storm status, though maximum sustained winds decreased to 65 km/h. The storm is expected to weaken overnight.
Dense clouds associated with Bertha forced SpaceX to cancel a scheduled launch of a Starship rocket from South Texas. The test flight, which would reach near space, was rescheduled for Friday, with clear skies predicted.
No fatalities or significant damage have been reported since Bertha formed in the Gulf of Mexico earlier in the week. The storm caused minor coastal flooding when it first made landfall in Louisiana, southwest of New Orleans, on Wednesday. Heavier rains remained over the Gulf’s waters. On Thursday, these rains began moving inland along the southeastern Texas coast. A tropical storm warning remained in effect from Sargent, Texas, to the boundary between Vermilion and Cameron parishes in Louisiana.
The hurricane center indicated that Bertha could still cause storm surges of up to 60 centimeters along the coast, possibly leading to isolated flash floods in coastal and southern Texas areas.
Bertha’s storm-force winds extended up to 225 kilometers from its center. Experts predict the storm will weaken as it moves over inland Texas and dissipate by Friday.
In Galveston, city officials advised residents to prepare for windy conditions and secure any outdoor objects that could become projectiles. Despite potential wind gusts, local businesses stayed open.
The Galveston Historic Seaport canceled boat tours as a precaution, but operations continued otherwise. Jesi Hahn, an employee, noted, “We are definitely open. We usually close for big hurricanes.” At nearby Harbor House Hotel and Marina, no reservations were reportedly canceled, reflecting a normal day with full restaurants.
Florida experienced minor disruptions from Bertha. Power outages along the coast were minimal, poweroutage.us reported. However, in Pensacola, authorities closed an area around a damaged pier. Mayor D.C. Reeves shared a photo of the damage on Facebook, showing structural harm and a damaged fence.
Earlier in the week, strong winds toppled a Waffle House sign onto a car in Panama City Beach, Florida. High surf and rip current threats prompted swimming warnings along Gulf Coast beaches.
Bertha is the second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Tropical Storm Arthur brought heavy rains to the U.S. Southeast in June. Meanwhile, in the Eastern Pacific, Hurricane Fausto was far removed from land. It was over 1,600 kilometers west-southwest of southern Baja California with sustained winds of 130 km/h. The hurricane center reported waves generated by Fausto could cause dangerous surf and rip currents in parts of southern California.
___
Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia, and Thanawala reported from Atlanta. AP journalist Marcia Dunn in Cape Canaveral, Florida, contributed to this report.