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TROPICAL STORM BERTHA MOVING CLOSER TO SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA

August 5, 2002 — At 11 p.m. EDT Sunday, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located near latitude 29.6 north, longitude 89.4 west or about 45 miles southeast of New Orleans, La. Bertha is moving toward the northwest near 8 mph, and this motion should continue through early Monday morning with a gradual turn to the west-northwest by Monday afternoon. On this track, the broad center of Bertha is expected to pass close to the New Orleans metropolitan area early Monday morning, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Bertha taken on August 5, 2002, at 12:15 a.m. EDT. Click here to see latest satellite view.)

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is possible before the center of Bertha makes landfall. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles, mainly north of the center. The minimum central pressure estimated by reconnaissance aircraft is 1008 mb, 29.77 inches.

The primary threat from Bertha is expected to be heavy rainfall and possible inland fresh water flooding. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches are possible during the next 24 hours across portions of southern Mississippi and southeast Louisiana, with lesser amounts farther east over southern Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

Storm surge flooding of 1 to 3 feet is possible in the warning area. A coastal flood watch is also in effect from Alabama eastward to the Florida panhandle. Consult NOAA’s local National Weather Service forecast offices for additional information. Small craft should remain in port.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Mississippi and Southeast Louisiana coasts from Pascagoula, Miss., west and South to the mouth of the Mississippi river, including Lake Borgne And Lake Pontchartrain.

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

Hurricane Forecasters Say 6 to 8 Hurricanes Could Threaten in 2002; NOAA Expects Normal to Slightly above Normal Atlantic Storm Activity

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

NOAA's River Forecast Centers

NOAA Buoys

NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views

Colorized Satellite Images

NOAA 3-D Satellite Images

NOAA's Hurricanes Page

NOAA's Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA

Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA's National Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404

 

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