While Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to make landfall along Louisiana’s southeastern coast Wednesday, forecasters say Lincoln Parish and the rest of North Louisiana should avoid the storm’s most significant impacts.
The National Hurricane Center forecasts Bertha will move inland Wednesday before weakening as it tracks north. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall, localized flooding, gusty winds and the potential for isolated tornadoes across portions of south and southeast Louisiana.
Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration has activated the State Emergency Operations Center as emergency officials coordinate storm preparations across the state.
While south Louisiana prepares for Bertha, North Louisiana continues to deal with oppressive heat. Heat index values have topped 110 degrees in recent days, and highs are expected to remain in the upper 90s Wednesday before cooling slightly later this week.
For Lincoln Parish, however, the tropical forecast is considerably less concerning.
Current forecasts indicate the area will remain largely dry through Thursday, with only isolated showers and thunderstorms possible Friday before more typical summertime rain chances return over the weekend. While Bertha is not expected to produce widespread flooding or damaging winds in North Louisiana, forecasters caution that the storm’s exact track could still influence local rainfall amounts.
The National Weather Service encourages residents across Louisiana to continue monitoring the forecast, as tropical systems can shift course and produce localized heavy rainfall well inland.
For Lincoln Parish residents, Bertha’s biggest impact may simply be a brief interruption in the summer heat. While rain chances increase slightly later this week, forecasters expect hotter weather to quickly return, with long-range forecasts calling for highs back in the triple digits across North Louisiana early next week.
Bertha is the Atlantic hurricane season’s second named storm. Although it is not expected to strengthen into a hurricane before landfall, tropical storms can still produce dangerous flooding, power outages and isolated tornadoes.
