The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Thursday that Tropical Storm Bertha had moved inland near the Texas-Louisiana border, approximately 75 miles (121 km) from Galveston, Texas. The forecaster reported maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour (75 kph), with heavy rainfall affecting portions of coastal Texas.
The NHC added that Bertha is expected to gradually weaken and to dissipate in a day or so. A tropical storm warning remains in effect along the Gulf Coast from Morgan City, Louisiana, to Sargent, Texas.
According to the NHC timeline provided in its advisory, Bertha made landfall on Wednesday in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. After landfall the system moved south and westward along the coast before shifting inland near the Texas-Louisiana border as noted on Thursday.
Industry response
Energy-sector operators in the northern Gulf of Mexico took precautionary steps earlier in the week as the storm approached. Chevron said earlier this week that it had shut in production at its Petronius facility and evacuated personnel from the platform as a precaution. BP said on Thursday that it was returning non-essential personnel to its Thunder Horse and Na Kika platforms after having removed them earlier in the week as a precaution.
Summary
- Tropical Storm Bertha moved inland near the Texas-Louisiana border, about 75 miles from Galveston, Texas.
- The storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and produced heavy rain across parts of coastal Texas.
- Bertha is forecast by the NHC to gradually weaken and dissipate within about a day.
- A tropical storm warning covers the Gulf Coast from Morgan City, Louisiana, to Sargent, Texas.
- Chevron temporarily shut in production at Petronius and evacuated platform personnel; BP has returned non-essential staff to Thunder Horse and Na Kika after earlier precautionary removals.
Key points
- Tropical Storm Bertha's landfall and subsequent inland movement brought sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and heavy rain to coastal Texas and adjacent Gulf Coast areas.
- Official forecasts call for the storm to weaken and dissipate in about a day, according to the NHC.
- Energy operations in the Gulf of Mexico responded with precautionary measures, including a production shut-in and personnel evacuations and returns.
Risks and uncertainties
- Rainfall and coastal impacts: Heavy rain across coastal Texas presents ongoing localized flood risk while the storm is active.
- Operational disruptions in offshore energy: Precautionary production shutdowns and personnel evacuations at Gulf platforms indicate operational uncertainty for affected facilities.
- Short forecast window: The NHC projects gradual weakening and dissipation in about a day, but the timing of dissipation leaves a narrow window to monitor potential residual impacts.
Outlook
The NHC's forecast of gradual weakening suggests the direct meteorological threat from Bertha is likely to diminish within a short timeframe. Meanwhile, operators in the Gulf took steps to protect personnel and assets, with at least one production facility temporarily shut in and other platforms adjusting staffing levels. Monitoring will continue as local impacts from rainfall and coastal conditions evolve.