Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued July 22 at 10:13AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA

HLSLCHn This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

• *Tropical Storm Bertha to track west and impact Louisiana coastlinesnthrough Thursday night.* NEW INFORMATIONn---------------

• 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 Camero

• STORM INFORMATION About 350 miles east of High Island TX or about 160 miles eastnof Morgan City LAn- 29.8N 88.6Wn- Storm Intensity 50 mphn- Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 6 mphn SITUATION OVERVIEWn----------------- Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to move westward along or justnoff the southern Louisiana coast through Thursday. There is thenpotential for tropical storm wind gusts locally heavy rainfall forncoastal locations. There is the potential for storm surge up to 3 feetnbetween High Island, Texas and Morgan City, Louisiana A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Morgan city to High Island .nThere is Tropical Storm warning in effect for the Vermilion and Atchafalaya Bays and the coastal waters east of Cameron POTENTIAL IMPACTSn-----------------

• WIND:nProtect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Coastal Louisiana. Potential impacts in this area include Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchorednmobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped ornuprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees arenshallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urba

or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions o

bridges and other elevated roadways Scattered power and communications outages Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to

o impact is anticipated.

• SURGE:nProtect against locally hazardous surge having possible limitednimpacts across Vermilion and Atchafalaya Bays and extreme coastalnportions of Louisiana. Potential impacts in this area include Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly alongnimmediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areasnfarther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspreadnwith surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places wherensurge water covers the road Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainlynin usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,nand piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to

o impact is anticipated.

• FLOODING RAIN:nProtect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possiblenlimited impacts across coastal to interior central Louisiana.nPotential impacts include Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents.nSmall streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swolle

and overflow in spots Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usuallynvulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of waternoccurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainagenareas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become

ear-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridgenclosures Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to

o impact is anticipated.

• TORNADOES:nLittle to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONSn----------------------------------

• EVACUATIONS:nFollow the advice of local officials.

• OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life andnproperty in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in ansafe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-pronenarea, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a floodednroadway. Remember, turn around don't drown Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outletsnfor official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changesnto the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weathernwarnings.

• ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION For information on appropriate preparations see ready.govn- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.orgn- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.orgn NEXT UPDATEn---------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Lake Charles LA around 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditionsnwarrant.