⚠️ Tropical Cyclone Local Statement – Houston; Trinity; Madison; Walker; San Jacinto; Polk; Burleson; Brazos; Washington; Grimes; Montgomery; Northern Liberty; Colorado; Austin; Waller; Inland Harris; Chambers; Wharton; Fort Bend; Inland Jackson; Inland Matagorda; Inland Brazoria; Inland Galveston; Southern Liberty; Coastal Harris; Coastal Jackson; Coastal Matagorda; Coastal Brazoria; Coastal Galveston; Matagorda Islands; Brazoria Islands; Galveston Island; Bolivar Peninsula – Thursday, July 23, 2026

Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued July 23 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX

Details

HLSHGX

This product covers Southeast Texas

**Bertha expected to weaken as it moves through Southeast Texas**

NEW INFORMATION
—————

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Bolivar Peninsula,
Brazoria Islands, Chambers, Coastal Brazoria, Coastal
Galveston, and Galveston Island

* STORM INFORMATION:
– About 40 miles north of Galveston TX
– 29.8N 94.7W
– Storm Intensity 40 mph
– Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 13 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
——————

Tropical Storm Bertha is currently moving westward through southeast
Texas, roughtly around the I-10 corridor nearly Galveston bay. It’s
intensity has decreased, with peak winds upwards of 35 knots. Bertha
will continue to weaken, becoming a post-tropical system as it moves
westward tonight. No significant impacts to Southeast Texas are
expected at this time. Winds of 15-25 knots with gusts to 35 knots will
be possible, mainly along the coast and Gulf waters. Scattered showers
and thunderstorms continue this evening. Heavy downpours are possible
though the flooding rain threat is very low. A high risk rip currents
will continue across the beaches and coast through Friday.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
—————–

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Southeast Texas. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having
possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
– Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
– Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
– A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways.
– Scattered power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the Southeast Texas coast. Remain well guarded against locally
hazardous flood waters having possible limited
impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
– Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
– Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents.
Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen
and overflow in spots.
– Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually
vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water
occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become
near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge
closures.

Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
There will be a high risk of rip currents across the upper Texas
coastal beaches through Friday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
———————————-

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
– For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
– For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
– For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
———–

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Houston/Galveston TX around 7 PM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

This alert was automatically posted by SkyGuard, MWSC’s severe weather alerting system. Source: National Weather Service.