HLSLIX This product covers Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi TROPICAL STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR A PORTION OF THE NORTHERN GULF COAST NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Eastern Orleans, Lower Plaquemines, Lower St. Bernard, Southeast St. Tammany, Southern Hancock, Southern Harrison, and Southern Jackson - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Central Jefferson, Central Plaquemines, Central St. Charles, Coastal Jefferson, Lower Lafourche, Lower St. Charles, Lower Terrebonne, Northern Hancock, Northern Harrison, Northern Jackson, St. John The Baptist, Upper Jefferson, Upper Lafourche, Upper Plaquemines, Upper St. Bernard, Upper St. Charles, Upper Terrebonne, and Western Orleans * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for Eastern Orleans, Lower Plaquemines, Lower St. Bernard, Southeast St. Tammany, Southern Hancock, Southern Harrison, and Southern Jackson - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Central Jefferson, Central Plaquemines, Central St. Charles, Coastal Jefferson, Lower Lafourche, Lower St. Charles, Lower Terrebonne, Northern Hancock, Northern Harrison, Northern Jackson, St. John The Baptist, Upper Jefferson, Upper Lafourche, Upper Plaquemines, Upper St. Bernard, Upper St. Charles, Upper Terrebonne, and Western Orleans * STORM INFORMATION: - About 290 miles east-southeast of New Orleans LA or about 240 miles southeast of Gulfport MS - 28.2N 85.9W - Storm Intensity 40 mph - Movement Stationary SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Bertha is currently south of the coast of the Florida Panhandle and will gradually continue to move northwest. Some slight additional strengthening is possible before reaching the region sometime midweek. Bertha is forecast to bring the threat of tropical storm force wind gusts, locally heavy rainfall generally south of I-10, and storm surge. The coastal areas of Mississippi and southeast Louisiana will have the greatest threat, especially along and south of I-10. Tropical Storm Watches have been upgraded to Tropical Storm Warnings from the Florida/Alabama border west to the Mouth of the Mississippi River. Tropical Storm Watches have been issued from the Mouth of the Mississippi River to Morgan City. Additionally, Tropical Storm Watches are now in effect for the City of New Orleans including Lake Pontchartrain and Maurepas as well as inland coastal Mississippi Counties. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts. Potential impacts in this area include: - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. Elsewhere across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across the Louisiana coast east of the mouth of the Mississippi River and coastal Mississippi. Potential impacts in this area 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. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts south of I-10, especially near the southeast Louisiana coast. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across across coastal Mississippi and elsewhere in southeast Louisiana along the I-10/I-12 corridor. * TORNADOES: Little to no tornado impacts are anticipated at this time across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution. If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * 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 5AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.