# Tropical Storm Bertha Threatens US Gulf Coast Bertha could cause severe flooding and storm surges from Alabama to Texas. - **Source:** [BBC News](https://brifing.si/source/647b890e-c85e-45b8-9588-ccfecdec4a99) - **Published:** 2026-07-21 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/1935ae89-1449-4ed6-9329-6d894d6660c2 ## Location of Tropical Storm Bertha Tropical Storm Bertha is located 105 miles south of Panama City, Florida, moving westward with windspeeds of 40 mph. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts the storm will move along the Gulf coast in the coming days. ## Affected Areas Bertha could trigger flooding and storm surges in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Some areas may receive up to 8 inches of rain by Friday, with isolated tornadoes possible in Florida. ## Storm May Intensify Forecasters suggest Bertha could strengthen in the next few days, potentially making landfall in New Orleans, Louisiana, by Wednesday. Tropical storm-force winds extend 70 miles from the storm's center. ## Coastal Surge Heights Storm surges of 1-4 feet are expected along parts of the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines. Flash flooding could occur in urban areas. Sandbags are being distributed in New Orleans to mitigate flood risks. ## Preparations and Warnings Local authorities have urged residents to clear storm drains. A tropical storm watch is in effect from Florida to Louisiana. Bertha is forecast to weaken to a tropical depression by Thursday. ## Second Named Storm of the Season Bertha is the second named storm this season, following Tropical Storm Arthur, which caused flooding in the US last month. Bertha is expected to dissipate as it nears the Texas coast. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjxzzdrl4lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._