Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall in Louisiana with 45 mph winds

Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall in Louisiana with 45 mph winds

Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, bringing sustained winds of 45 mph. The storm hit land near the Biloxi Wildlife Management Area around 2 p.m., moving west-northwest at 7 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The system is the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. It developed from an upper-level disturbance over the eastern Gulf on July 19 and intensified Monday night after Hurricane Hunter aircraft confirmed that Tropical Depression Two had strengthened into a tropical storm. While Bertha peaked with winds of 60 mph well before landfall, it weakened through Wednesday morning.

Satellite imagery indicated the storm was disorganized, with its strongest convection displaced south of the center and its low-level circulation exposed. NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome stated that the storm had begun to weaken, a trend expected to continue.

Coastal areas experienced flooding as rising waters pushed into roads along the Gulf. In New Orleans’ Venetian Isles neighborhood, water pushed into the streets just after the morning high tide. Forecasters projected coastal parishes including Jefferson, Terrebonne, Lafourche, and Plaquemines could see 2 to 4 feet of flooding.

The NHC warned that if peak surge coincides with high tide, water levels could reach:

• Two to four feet above ground from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Mississippi/Alabama border.
• One to three feet from Cameron, Louisiana, to the river’s mouth, as well as around Lake Pontchartrain and from the Mississippi/Alabama border to Florida's Okaloosa/Walton County line.

In southeast Louisiana, NWS forecasters reported wind gusts of 25-30 mph, with some exceeding 40 mph. While wind shear pushed the most severe thunderstorms and rain south over the Gulf, strong winds remained the primary risk for inland cities and New Orleans. Widespread rainfall of one to four inches is expected across the central and western Gulf Coast through Thursday, with isolated accumulations reaching six inches.

The impacts of Bertha extend beyond the landfall zone. WFLA-TV chief meteorologist Jeff Berardelli warned that the Mid-Atlantic and southeastern U.S. Could face significant indirect impacts. Berardelli stated on X that a strong front moving south could catch a Tropical plume of Bertha's moisture, potentially bringing 4-6 inches of rain, severe storms, and flooding to Virginia and the Carolinas through the weekend. His data suggests North Carolina could see up to six inches of rain, while South Carolina may receive two to three inches.

Along the coast, dangerous surf and rip currents prompted beaches from Alabama to the Florida Panhandle to hoist double red flags. The NHC noted that these swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

A tropical storm warning was issued from the Alabama-Florida border to Morgan City, including Lake Pontchartrain and the New Orleans metro area. A tropical storm watch covered the area from Morgan City to Sargent, Texas. Additionally, a coastal flood warning remains in effect for the coasts of Mississippi and Louisiana.

Bertha follows Tropical Storm Arthur, which formed June 17 off the Texas coast. Arthur made landfall near Galveston, Texas, causing widespread flooding across Mexico, Louisiana, and Texas, with estimated losses of around $1 billion.

The slow start to the season aligns with predictions of below-average activity. NOAA is forecasting eight to 14 named storms, three to six hurricanes, and one to three reaching Category 3 strength, citing a record-breaking El Niño event over the Pacific. Experts at Colorado State University have predicted even lower numbers: nine named storms, four hurricanes, and one major hurricane.

Historically, an average season produces 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. Typically, two named storms form by mid-July, and the first hurricane forms in early to mid-August.

Bertha is forecast to hover near the Louisiana coast through Thursday before moving toward the upper Texas coast by Thursday night. Forecasters expect the system to continue losing strength and dissipate shortly after reaching Texas.