Tropical Storm Bertha Update: Tropical Storm Bertha weakened into a tropical depression after making its second landfall along the US Gulf Coast, leaving parts of Louisiana and Texas grappling with heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, rough surf and strong winds. While the storm caused only minor damage and no reported fatalities, it disrupted travel, prompted weather warnings and even forced SpaceX to postpone a planned Starship launch.
Meteorologists expect Bertha to continue weakening and dissipate by Friday, bringing an end to its brief but impactful journey across the Gulf Coast.
Tropical Storm Bertha Weakens After Second Landfall
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Bertha initially brushed southern Louisiana on Wednesday before moving westward across the Gulf Coast. The storm later made a second landfall about 75 miles (115 km) northeast of Galveston, Texas, on Thursday afternoon.
Although it retained tropical storm strength for several hours, Bertha eventually weakened into a tropical depression after its maximum sustained winds dropped to 38 mph (61 km/h) or lower.
Forecasters said the storm is expected to lose strength rapidly and completely dissipate by Friday.
Heavy Rain and Flooding Continue Across Texas
Even as the storm weakened, weather experts warned that parts of coastal and southern Texas could continue to experience heavy rain, gusty winds and localized flooding.
Rainfall forecasts include:
- 1 to 3 inches (2.5–7.6 cm) across many affected areas.
- Isolated locations could receive up to 4 inches (10 cm) of rain.
- Flash flooding remains possible in low-lying and flood-prone regions.
Officials also warned that elevated water levels caused by storm surge may continue for several hours despite the storm’s weakening.
Strong Winds and Coastal Impacts
The National Hurricane Center reported that tropical storm-force winds extended up to 140 miles (225 km) from Bertha’s center while the system moved inland.
Communities along the upper Texas coast experienced strong wind gusts, rough surf and coastal flooding throughout Thursday.
As weather conditions improved later in the day, authorities lifted the tropical storm warning stretching from Sargent, Texas, to the Vermilion-Cameron Parish line in Louisiana.
SpaceX Delays Starship Launch Due to Storm
The storm’s impact extended beyond coastal communities.
Dense cloud cover and unstable weather linked to Bertha forced SpaceX to postpone its planned Starship test flight from its launch facility in southern Texas.
The launch has now been rescheduled for Friday, when weather forecasts indicate clearer skies and safer launch conditions.
Galveston Residents Asked to Prepare for Gusty Weather
Local officials in Galveston, Texas, advised residents to secure outdoor furniture, decorations and other loose objects as strong winds moved across the island.
While businesses largely remained open, authorities described the day as potentially “windy” and urged caution.
As a precaution, the Galveston Historic Seaport temporarily suspended sightseeing boat tours, although other attractions continued normal operations.
Florida Escapes With Minor Damage
Before reaching Louisiana and Texas, Bertha also affected parts of Florida, though the damage was relatively limited.
In Pensacola, storm conditions damaged a beach boardwalk and toppled a Waffle House sign. City officials temporarily closed off the affected area while inspection and repair work began.
Power disruptions across the Gulf Coast remained minimal, with only scattered outages reported.
No Major Casualties Reported
Since developing over the Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Panhandle earlier this week, Tropical Storm Bertha has not been associated with any reported deaths or widespread structural damage.
Its initial landfall southwest of New Orleans caused localized coastal flooding, while much of the storm’s heaviest rainfall remained offshore over the Gulf before later moving into southeastern Texas.
Atlantic Hurricane Season Continues
Bertha is the second named tropical storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, following Tropical Storm Arthur, which brought heavy rain to parts of the southeastern United States earlier this year.
Meanwhile, attention is also turning to the eastern Pacific, where Hurricane Fausto continues moving over open waters. The hurricane is currently located more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) west-southwest of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, with maximum sustained winds of around 80 mph (130 km/h).
Although Tropical Storm Bertha has weakened into a tropical depression, heavy rain, localized flooding and strong winds continue to affect parts of Louisiana and Texas. Authorities remain on alert for flash flooding and lingering storm surge, while improving weather conditions are expected to help the system dissipate completely by Friday.