Tropical Storm Bertha (2002)
Tropical Storm Bertha was a minimal tropical storm that made landfall twice along the Gulf Coast of the United States in August 2002. The second tropical storm of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season, Bertha developed in the northern Gulf of Mexico out of a trough of low pressure that extended into the Atlantic on August 4. It quickly organized and reached tropical storm strength before making landfall on southeastern Louisiana. Bertha turned to the southwest over the state, and re-entered the Gulf of Mexico on August 7. It remained disorganized due to proximity to land, and after making landfall on south Texas, Bertha dissipated on August 9.
Bertha was one of only three tropical cyclones to make landfall on both Louisiana and Texas; the others being Allison in 2001 and Fern in 1971. Heavy surf killed one person in Florida. The storm dropped moderate amounts of rainfall along its path, peaking at over in eastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. Damage was light, totaling to only $200,000.
Meteorological history
In early August, a surface trough extended from the northern Gulf of Mexico across Florida into the western Atlantic Ocean. The eastern portion ultimately became Tropical Storm Cristobal. The western portion developed into a low pressure area on August 3 over the Gulf of Mexico. Late on August 4, the low organized into Tropical Depression Two just east of the mouth of the Mississippi River. It soon strengthened into Tropical Storm Bertha, as outflow and rainbands developed. At 02:00 UTC, Bertha made landfall near Boothville, Louisiana with peak winds of 40 mph. After crossing Lake Pontchartrain, the storm fell to tropical depression status. The track shifted to the southwest, steered around the periphery of a ridge. Bertha emerged back over the Gulf of Mexico again on August 7, developing intermittent thunderstorms. However, it failed to restrengthen due to proximity to land. On August 9, Bertha made its second and final landfall near Kingsville, Texas as a tropical depression, dissipating ten hours later.
Preparations
The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning from Pascagoula, Mississippi to the mouth of the Mississippi River, shortly before Bertha made landfall. The National Weather Service advised boats along the Gulf coast to remain at port. The service also issued a coastal flood watch from Alabama through the Florida Panhandle. A flood watch was issued for portions of eastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi.
Impact
The precursor to Bertha generated rip currents along the Florida coastline. In Perdido Key State Recreation Area, one person drowned, and two children required rescue from the currents. Rainfall in Florida reached near Clermont. The highest rainfall in Alabama was in Coden. Upon Bertha making landfall, Waveland, Mississippi recorded a peak storm surge of. Sustained winds there peaked at, and a peak gust of. Rainfall from Bertha reached in Pascagoula. In Moss Point, the rainfall resulted in flooding which entered at least 15 houses and several cars. The rainfall also flooded roadways and streets. Damage in Mississippi totaled to at least $50,000. The storm dropped heavy rainfall in Louisiana, which peaked at in Norwood. The mouth of the Bayou Dupre recorded a storm tide of. The rainfall led to flash flooding, which entered buildings in East Feliciana Parish while also covering roads and bridges. Rivers overflowed in St. Tammany Parish. Damage in Louisiana totaled $150,000. In Texas, Bertha produced a storm tide of at Baffin Bay. Rainfall in the state reached in Dumas.