Tropical Storm Bertha tracks west toward Louisiana, Texas

ATLANTA - Tropical Storm Bertha pushed westward along the northern Gulf Coast on Tuesday, prompting tropical storm warnings from Florida to Louisiana as coastal communities prepared for high winds, dangerous storm surge, and flash flooding.

Bertha threatens northern Gulf Coast

What we know:

Tropical Storm Bertha continues moving northwest at 6 mph with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. The center of the storm sits about 105 miles south-southeast of Mobile, Alabama, and 105 miles west-southwest of Panama City, Florida.

Tropical storm warnings stretch from the Bay and Gulf county line in Florida westward to Morgan City, Louisiana. Officials upgraded Metropolitan New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain to a tropical storm warning as the system tracks westward.

Coastlines face surge flooding

By the numbers:

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center of the storm. Panama City Beach reported sustained winds of 45 mph and a peak gust of 57 mph.

Water levels could rise 2 to 4 feet from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Mississippi and Alabama border. Total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected, with isolated spots reaching 6 inches through Thursday.

Path, intensity uncertain

What we don't know:

Meteorologists cannot yet confirm whether the center of the storm will make direct landfall or scrape along the marshlands of southeastern Louisiana. The system faces strong wind shear, making its exact survival and strength over land uncertain through Wednesday.

Forecast models differ on whether the storm will redevelop off the Louisiana coast or steadily weaken while moving inland toward Texas. Officials have not confirmed how far inland tropical storm conditions will extend by Friday.

Dangerous seas

What they're saying:

National Hurricane Center forecaster Reinhart stated that tropical storm conditions will continue spreading westward along the northern Gulf Coast through Wednesday night. Swells generated by the storm are expected to cause life-threatening surf and dangerous rip currents.

FOX 5 Storm Team meteorologist Jonathan Stacey explained that Bertha remains a lopsided storm taking a slow trip across the northern Gulf. He noted that impact along the marshland parishes should remain modest as the storm moves west.

Storm shifts west toward Texas

What's next:

The storm is expected to turn west-northwest Tuesday night and continue a westward track along the coast through Friday. Heavy rainfall is forecast to reach Houston and coastal Texas before the end of the week.

An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the storm Tuesday night to reassess wind strength. Local emergency management officials advise residents along the coast to monitor official updates and secure loose outdoor items.

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