HLSLCH

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**Tropical Storm Bertha to track west and impact Louisiana coastlines
through Thursday night.**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for East Cameron, Lower
Iberia, Lower Jefferson, Lower St. Mary, Lower Vermilion, and
West Cameron

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 350 miles east of High Island TX or about 160 miles east
of Morgan City LA
- 29.8N 88.6W
- Storm Intensity 50 mph
- Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 6 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to move westward along or just
off the southern Louisiana coast through Thursday. There is the
potential for tropical storm wind gusts locally heavy rainfall for
coastal locations. There is the potential for storm surge up to 3 feet
between High Island, Texas and Morgan City, Louisiana.

A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Morgan city to High Island .
There is Tropical Storm warning in effect for the Vermilion and
Atchafalaya Bays and the coastal waters east of Cameron.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
Coastal Louisiana. Potential impacts in this area 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 Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to
no impact is anticipated.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across Vermilion and Atchafalaya Bays and extreme coastal
portions of Louisiana. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to
no impact is anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across coastal to interior central Louisiana.
Potential 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.

Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to
no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southwest
Louisiana and Southeast Texas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.


* 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.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

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
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Lake Charles LA around 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.