Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in southern Louisiana Wednesday, bringing 45mph winds and heavy rain to St. Bernard Parish, about 40 miles east of New Orleans.The storm has weakened slightly, but is still expected to drop he avy rains and gusty winds along the Louisiana coast on Wednesday. A tropical storm warning is in place from the Alabama/Florida border to Cameron, Louisiana, and for Metropolitan New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain.On Wednesday evening Bertha was about 40 miles southwest of New Orleans and moving to the west at about 7 mph.Bertha is expected to remain a minimal tropical storm for the next two days as it moves through the area. Its intensity will largely depend on whether its center remains over water or land over the next few days as it moves along the Gulf Coast.1 to 4 inches of rain were forecast in some areas through Friday, with higher totals of as much as six inches in isolated areas. Possible flash flooding was forecast for urban settings.RELATED STORY | El Nino powers up as forecasters predict historic strength and a rainier winter for the US SouthThe storm is not expected to move fast, meaning it could potentially continue to drop heavy rain along the Louisiana coast for several days."Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue along portions of the northern Gulf Coast from the western Florida Panhandle to southeastern Louisiana, including the Metro New Orleans area, through tonight," the National Hurricane Center said. "Tropical storm conditions are possible for portions of the southwestern coast of Louisiana tonight into Thursday."Bertha is the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The 2026 season is not expected to be as intense as prior seasons due to an ongoing El Nino pattern. Forecasters warn, however, that it only takes one storm to make or break an entire season.RELATED STORY | El Nino headed for historic levels, forecasters say ...read more read less