text: tropical storm bertha ( 2002 ) 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 . 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 , $ 240 , 000 2008 usd ) . meteorological history a non - tropical trough at the surface extended from the northern gulf of mexico across florida into the western atlantic ocean . on august 3 , the western portion developed into a low pressure area . the eastern portion slowly organized and ultimately developed into tropical storm cristobal . the low pressure area in the gulf of mexico steadily organized , and late on august 4 the circulation was organized enough for the national hurricane center to classify it as tropical depression two while located 40 miles ( 65 km ) east of port eads , louisiana . wind shear initially prevented organization of the cloud pattern , though the depression was able to strengthen to become tropical storm bertha about five hours after it formed . outflow became much better organized as bertha became a tropical storm , and well - defined banding features persisted to the north of the storm . though convection waned , forecasters predicted the friction between land and the warm atmosphere to redevelop more deep convection , potentially resulting in further strengthening . however , the storm failed to intensify , and bertha made landfall near boothville , louisiana as a minimal tropical storm early on august 5 . it slowly weakened over the swampy portions of southeastern louisiana , and degenerated to a tropical depression later on the 5th after crossing lake ponchartrain . initially it was expected that a ridge of high pressure to its north would keep bertha moving to the west and result in it slowly dissipating . however , it turned to the southwest , and reached the gulf of mexico again on august 7 . the circulation persisted over land , and tropical depression bertha quickly redeveloped convection . though the environment was not unfavorable , its proximity to land prevented re - strengthening to tropical storm status . though the system showed periods of increased organization as it moved southwestward , bertha remained a weak tropical depression until making landfall on south texas to the east of kingsville on august 9 . bertha weakened quickly over land , and dissipated over southern texas ten hours after making landfall . preparations the national hurricane center issued a tropical storm warning from pascagoula , mississippi to the mouth of the mississippi river as bertha became a tropical storm . the warning occurred 90 minutes before the storm made landfall . all warnings were discontinued when bertha weakened to a tropical depression over louisiana . no watches or warnings were required for texas , due to the improbability of it re - intensifying . the national weather service advised boats along the gulf coast to remain at port . the service also issued a coastal flood watch from alabama through the florida panhandle . a flood watch was issued for portions of eastern louisiana and southwestern mississippi . impact the area of low pressure preceding the development of bertha produced rough surf and rip currents along the florida coastline . in perdido key state recreation area , two children were swimming in an unguarded area when they swept away by the currents . their grandfather attempted to rescue them , but drowned in the rough waters . another family rescued the two children . the large circulation of bertha produced light rainfall across florida , with pensacola and destin reporting 2 . 75 inches . extreme southern portions of alabama received over 3 inches ( 75 mm ) of rain from the storm , while western dauphin island reported over 5 inches ( 125 mm ) . upon making landfall , waveland , mississippi recorded a peak storm surge of 4 . 12 feet ( 1 . 26 m ) . sustained winds there peaked at 31 mph ( 50 km / h ) , and a peak gust of 41 mph ( 66 km / h ) . tropical storm bertha produced moderate to heavy precipitation across southern mississippi , including a total of 10 . 25 inches ( 260 . 35 mm ) in pascagoula . in moss point , the rainfall resulted in flooding which entered 15 to 20 houses and several cars . the rainfall also flooded roadways and streets . damage in mississippi totaled to $ 50 , 000 ( 2002 usd , $ 60 , 000 2008 usd ) . the storm dropped heavy rainfall in louisiana , which peaked at 10 . 25 inches in norwood . storm tides were generally 1 to 2 feet ( .3 to .6 m ) above normal , while the mouth of the bayou dupre recorded a storm tide of 3 . 79 feet ( 1 . 16 m ) . the rainfall led to flash flooding in places , and also a few overflowed rivers in st. tammany parish . the flooding covered several roadways and bridges , and entered a few businesses and houses in east feliciana parish . damage in louisiana totaled to $ 150 , 000 ( 2002 usd , $ 180 , 000 2008 usd ) . in texas , bertha produced a storm tide of 3 feet ( .9 m ) at baffin bay . only light rainfall occurred in the state , with a few isolated areas receiving over 1 inch ( 25 mm ) of precipitation .