Tropical Storm Bertha impacting northern Gulf Coast. See forecast map and its path. - CBS News

What the report says

CBS News reported that Tropical Storm Bertha was affecting the northern Gulf Coast early Thursday after coming ashore the previous day in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. The storm, the second named system of the Atlantic hurricane season, was turning toward Texas and moving west at 12 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Its maximum sustained winds were listed at 45 mph, down gradually from Tuesday night.

The hurricane center said Bertha was expected to remain a tropical storm until reaching the upper Texas coast later Thursday, then weaken and dissipate inland over Texas by Thursday night or Friday. Forecasters expected the storm’s center to move near or along the Louisiana and upper Texas coasts before pushing farther into Texas during the evening and overnight.

A tropical storm warning was in effect early Thursday from the Plaquemines/St. Bernard Parish line in Louisiana to Sargent, Texas. CBS News cited the hurricane center as saying tropical storm conditions would spread across parts of the northern and northwestern Gulf Coast during the day. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches were expected along the Texas Gulf Coast and in South Texas, with isolated amounts up to 6 inches and possible flash flooding, especially in urban areas. Some coastal locations could see storm surge raising water levels by up to 3 feet.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry warned residents against underestimating the flooding risk, saying even storms short of major hurricane strength can cause serious damage. State climatologist Jay Grymes told officials he expected some localized flooding but hoped the system would move through quickly. CBS News noted Bertha follows Tropical Storm Arthur, the season’s first named storm, which made landfall in June along the Texas Gulf Coast.