Alert Details
HLSLIX This product covers Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi **TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA THROUGH TONIGHT** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Central Jefferson, Central Plaquemines, Central St. Charles, Coastal Jefferson, Eastern Orleans, Lower Lafourche, Lower Plaquemines, Lower St. Bernard, Lower St. Charles, Lower Terrebonne, Southeast St. Tammany, Southern Hancock, Southern Harrison, Southern Jackson, Upper Jefferson, Upper Plaquemines, Upper St. Bernard, Upper St. Charles, and Western Orleans - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Northern Hancock, Northern Harrison, Northern Jackson, St. John The Baptist, Upper Lafourche, and Upper Terrebonne * STORM INFORMATION: - About 100 miles east of New Orleans LA or about 50 miles southeast of Gulfport MS - 29.8N 88.6W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 6 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Bertha is currently south of Mobile Bay and will continue its westward track moving at 6 mph. Most of its activity is well into the Gulf, south of southeast Louisiana. It has decreased slightly in strength since the 10 PM CDT advisory, now has peak winds at 50 mph, and is expected to continue slowly weakening. Impacts to the area are expected through early Thursday morning. Bertha is forecast to bring the threat of tropical storm force wind gusts to coastal areas of Plaquemines, Jefferson, Lafourche, and Terrebonne Parishes and locally heavy rainfall generally south of I- 10, and coastal flooding of up to 2 to 4 feet above normally dry ground. The coastal areas of Mississippi and southeast Louisiana will have the greatest threat, especially along and south of I-10. Coastal Flood Warnings are in effect for coastal Mississippi and Southeast St. Tammany to the Mouth of the Mississippi River. Coastal Flood Advisories are in effect for north and west shores of Lake Pontchartrain and the Jefferson/Lafourche Parish Line to Morgan City, Louisiana. Tropical Storm Warnings are now in effect for the New Orleans Metro area as well as Lake Pontchartrain and Lakes Salvador and Catoaouatche. Along the coast, Tropical Storm Warnings are now in effect from the Bay/Gulf County Line in Florida border west to Morgan City, Louisiana. Additionally, Tropical Storm Watches remain in effect for St. John Parish, inland portions Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes, Lake Maurepas, as well as inland portions of coastal Mississippi Counties of Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across coastal Southeast Louisiana and coastal MS. If realized, these impacts include: - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast. - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots. - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents. - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages. Elsewhere across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across Southeast Louisiana and Coastal Mississippi. If realized, these impacts 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 Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi. If realized, these 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. * TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy. Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane as any improvement in weather will only be temporary. Once the eye passes, conditions will become life threatening as winds immediately return to dangerous speeds, so remain safely sheltered from the storm. Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos. Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as flooding is not a concern. If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body. * 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 New Orleans LA around 4PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.