Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall on southern Louisiana with threatening winds

Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in southern Louisiana on Wednesday, bringing strong winds and a threat of storm surge. The National Hurricane Center reported Bertha touched down in St. Bernard Parish, approximately 40 miles east of New Orleans, with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph.

The storm's primary dangers were its winds and the potential for storm surge, prompting tropical storm warnings across coastal areas from Alabama to Louisiana, including New Orleans. Although the heaviest rainfall remained offshore, mitigating widespread flooding risks, forecasters warned of possible storm surges up to 3 feet in Louisiana and Alabama.

Despite the "encouraging" forecast, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry urged residents to remain prepared for some flooding. Bertha is expected to maintain tropical storm strength until it reaches the Texas coast on Thursday. This storm marks the second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, following Tropical Storm Arthur in June.

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Bertha is the second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.