Tropical Storm Bertha heads toward Gulf Coast with rain

Tropical Storm Bertha formed in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on Monday, July 20, 2026, and is forecast to bring days of heavy rain, gusty winds, and coastal flooding to the northern Gulf Coast from Florida to Louisiana. The storm, the second named system of the Atlantic hurricane season, is moving slowly and is expected to track near or along the coastline through midweek.

As of Monday evening, the storm was centered about 110 miles south of Panama City, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. The National Hurricane Center reported the system was moving slowly northwest at about 3 mph, with a turn toward the west-northwest or west expected. This track is forecast to keep the storm near the coast for several days, increasing the risk of prolonged rainfall and flooding.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for coastal Alabama, Mississippi, and eastern Louisiana, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch spans from the Ochlockonee River in Florida westward to the Jefferson-Plaquemines Parish border in southeastern Louisiana. A separate storm surge watch is active from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Alabama-Florida...