Bertha makes Texas landfall. Houston still faces rain, gusty winds - Houston Chronicle

What the report says

The Houston Chronicle reported that Tropical Storm Bertha moved inland Thursday afternoon after making landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border, bringing the main tropical impacts to areas east and south of Houston. The Chronicle, citing the National Hurricane Center, said Bertha’s center was northwest of Beaumont early Thursday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph as it moved west at 10 mph.

For the Houston area, Chronicle newsroom meteorologist Justin Ballard reported that conditions were expected to remain manageable, with most residents seeing intermittent showers and periods of gusty wind through Thursday evening. The storm’s strongest winds, heavier rain and coastal hazards were forecast to stay largely outside the metro area. Much of greater Houston was expected to receive under a half-inch of rain, though higher totals were possible south of the city and beneath stronger rain bands.

The article said brief gusts of 25 to 40 mph could occur in heavier bands, especially south and east of Houston. More significant concerns were focused along the upper Texas Coast, where tropical-storm-force winds, rough surf, dangerous rip currents and minor coastal flooding were expected into the evening before conditions improved overnight.

Bertha is the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, according to the Chronicle’s report. The National Hurricane Center expected the storm to steadily weaken while crossing Southeast Texas, with its remnants likely becoming a post-tropical low by Friday morning and dissipating later Friday.