Tropical Storm Bertha Makes Landfall in Louisiana, Threatens Gulf Coast
Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in southeastern Louisiana with sustained winds of 45 mph, marking the first direct hit of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm, which originated as the second tropical depression of the season, is expected to weaken as it moves westward along the Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued tropical storm warnings from the Alabama-Florida border to Morgan City, Louisiana, including New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain. A tropical storm watch is in effect from Morgan City to Sargent, Texas. Bertha is forecast to bring 1-4 inches of rain, with some areas receiving up to 6 inches, and a storm surge of 1-3 feet above normal. The storm is expected to dissipate over Texas by Thursday night.