The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Bertha's winds had increased slightly as of 10am Tuesday, with maximum sustained winds at 60 miles per hour.
Bertha's heaviest rains and strongest winds are south and east of its center, due to strong wind shear. The unfavorable conditions should continue as Bertha begins a westward trek towards the Louisiana coastline, which would weaken the system.
"Bertha is forecast to bring the threat of tropical storm force wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall generally south of I-10, and coastal flooding of up to 2 to 4 feet above normally dry ground. The coastal areas of Mississippi and southeast Louisiana will have the greatest threat, especially along and south of I-10," said the National Weather Service office in Slidell.
A tropical storm warning extends from the Bay/Gulf County line in Florida west to the Lafourche/Terrebonne Parish line.
"Tropical Storm Watches are in effect from the Lafourche/Terrebonne Parish Line to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line, Louisiana. Additionally, Tropical Storm Watches remain in effect for the City of New Orleans including Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas, inland portions of coastal Louisiana Parishes as well as inland coastal Mississippi Counties of Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock," the NWS added.
There is also a coastal flooding warning in effect for coastal Mississippi and Southeast St. Tammany to the mouth of the Mississippi, with coastal flood advisories for north and west shores of Lake Pontchartrain and the Jefferson/Lafourche Parish line to Morgan City.