Tropical Storm Bertha Moves, Gulf Coast Warnings Issued

Tropical Storm Bertha strengthened over the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, prompting tropical storm warnings and watches along the northern Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana. The storm was forecast to bring coastal flooding, heavy rain, and dangerous rip currents as it moves near or along the shoreline over the next several days.

As of Tuesday, the storm was located approximately 90 miles south-southwest of Panama City, Florida, and 125 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama, according to the National Hurricane Center. It was moving northwest at about 5 mph with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. Forecasters said gradual weakening is expected from Wednesday through Friday as the storm continues a westward track along the coast.

A tropical storm warning was in effect from the Florida-Alabama border to the Terrebonne-Lafourche Parish line in Louisiana, meaning tropical storm conditions were anticipated within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch was also in place for areas including New Orleans. Officials warned that the combination of storm surge and tide could cause normally dry areas near the coast to flood, with water levels potentially reaching up to 4...