Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 4, 2002 |
Dissipated | August 9, 2002 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 40 mph (65 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 1007 mbar (hPa); 29.74 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 1 direct |
Damage | $200,000 (2002 USD) |
Areas affected | Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season |
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.[1] Heavy surf killed one person in Florida. The storm dropped moderate amounts of rainfall along its path, peaking at over 10 inches (250 mm) in eastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. Damage was light, totaling to only $200,000 (2002 USD).