HLSHGX

This product covers Southeast Texas

**Bertha Moving Westward South of the Louisiana Coast, No Significant
Impacts for Southeast Texas**



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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Bolivar Peninsula,
Brazoria Islands, Chambers, Coastal Brazoria, Coastal
Galveston, and Galveston Island

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 160 miles east of Galveston TX
- 29.0N 92.2W
- Storm Intensity 45 mph
- Movement West or 270 degrees at 13 mph

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

At 4 AM CDT, Tropical Storm Bertha was located just offshore of the
Louisiana coast. Bertha will continue to move westward along the
northwest Gulf Coast today. Bertha will be moving through an
unfavorable environment due to high wind shear, dry air, and land
interaction. It is forecast to make another landfall along the Upper
Texas Coast early this afternoon as a weak Tropical Storm or Tropical
Depression. No significant impacts to Southeast Texas are expected at
this time with the highest probabilities of tropical storm force winds
remaining off the coast and gusts to tropical storm force winds
possible along the immediate coast. Scattered showers and
thunderstorms will be possible through Thursday, mainly near the coast,
but the threat of flooding rain is low. There is also an increased
risk of strong rip currents likely through Friday.

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

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
coastal portions of Chambers, Galveston, and Brazoria counties.
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 Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across the Bolivar Peninsula. 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 Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across southern Matagorda County. 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 Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

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.

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.

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 Houston/Galveston TX around 10 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.