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Tropical Storm Bertha (2026)

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Atlantic tropical storm in 2026

Tropical Storm Bertha
Tropical Storm Bertha at peak intensity in the Gulf of Mexico on July 21
Meteorological history
FormedJuly 19, 2026
DissipatedJuly 24, 2026
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highestwinds60mph (95km/h)
Lowestpressure995 mbar (hPa); 29.38inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
Damage>10ドルmillion (2026 USD)
Areas affected
IBTrACS Edit this at Wikidata
Part of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Bertha was a moderately strong and disorganized tropical storm that affected the Gulf Coast of the United States. The second storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, Bertha formed on July 19 in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Over the next few days, Bertha progressed westward along the northern rim of the basin. Despite being so close to land, Bertha left minimal impacts due to having a lopsided shape with the majority of its rains over water. Bertha made two landfalls in Louisiana before opening into a trough over Texas.

Aon estimated the damage was somewhere in the tens of millions of dollars.[1]

Meteorological history

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Tropicaldepression (≤38mph,≤62km/h)
Tropicalstorm (39–73mph,63–118km/h)
Category1 (74–95mph,119–153km/h)
Category2 (96–110mph,154–177km/h)
Category3 (111–129mph,178–208km/h)
Category4 (130–156mph,209–251km/h)
Category5 (≥157mph,≥252km/h)
Unknown
Storm type
[画像:triangle] Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

An upper-level low and a surface trough formed over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on July 17.[2] The following day, a broad low began to develop.[3] The system organized a closed circulation on July 19, becoming a tropical depression.[4] Upon formation, steering currents in the region of the system were weak, making the system's movement slow.[5] Weak steering currents were created by two high-pressure zones pushing the cyclone westward and blocking it from moving north.[6] Increasing organization also slowed after formation due to infiltration of dry air.[6] Sea surface temperatures in the area were warm, around 85–87 °F (29–31 °C).[6] On July 20, tropical-storm-force winds were found by hurricane hunters and the storm received the name Bertha.[7] Meandering across the northern gulf, Bertha was a heavily sheared system with its low-level circulation being exposed and significant asymmetry of convection, mostly lying to the south of the center.[8] Some rain bands did impact land, though inconsistently, even though the bulk of rains lied offshore.[9] Early on July 21, Bertha attained a peak intensity with winds of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) and a pressure of 995 millibars (29.4 inHg).[10] On July 22, Bertha began weakening while progressing westward.[11] That day, the system made landfall in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, with sustained winds of 45 miles per hour (72 km/h).[12] The next day, Bertha's center of circulation reformed south of the Louisiana's coast.[13] The storm made landfall a second time near the border of Texas and Louisiana the same day.[14] Inland over Texas, Bertha had a poor state of organization and weakened further.[15] On July 24, Bertha dissipated opening into a trough.[16]

Preparations

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Outer bands over St. George Sound in Florida

Upon designation as a tropical depression, tropical storm watches and warnings were issued for much of the Gulf Coast of the United States, from the Florida panhandle to the Texas Gulf Coast.[5] [17] A storm surge watch was also issued for parts of the coast.[18] For the first time since at least 2005 in Southern Louisiana, portions of the region were under both a tropical storm warning and extreme heat warning.[19] Double red flags were flown across beaches along the gulf.[20] Parts of Gulf Islands National Seashore closed ahead of Bertha's impacts.[21]

Escambia County, Florida, increased the number of staff working on-standby and cleared storm drains in preparation for Bertha.[22] Santa Rosa County cancelled the Bands on The Beach event for the night of July 21 due to expected inclement weather conditions.[23] Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties both offered free sand to citizens.[24] Citizens Property Insurance Corporation prevented consumers form forming new policies as Bertha developed.[25]

Sandbags were also distributed across Louisiana and southern Mississippi.[26] [27] Several floodgates in St. Bernard Parish were closed ahead of the storm.[28] Terrebonne Parish made emergency repairs to levees that were damaged after Hurricane Francine after receiving approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Government of Louisiana.[29] Lafourche Parish pumped water out of some reservoirs to make room for rain.[29] The Sewage and Water Board of New Orleans placed employees at stations that are usually unmanned.[30] Several colleges in New Orleans closed before Bertha.[31] The commencement of the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo was delayed as Bertha approached.[32] Chevron Corporation temporarily shut down some operations in the Gulf of Mexico including Petronius.[33] BP also pulled employees from Thunder Horse PDQ and Na Kika.[34] The Galveston Historic Seaport cancelled boat-based sightseeing expeditions for July 23.[35]

Amtrak suspended Mardi Gras Service on the afternoon of July 21 and the entirety of July 22 due to the storm.[36]

Impact

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Aon estimated the damage was somewhere in the tens of millions of dollars.[1]

Gulf Coast of the United States

[edit ]
Squalls associated with Bertha sweep over Alligator Point, Florida

The preceding low brought rains to the West Coast of Florida.[37] Across three days prior to the formation of Bertha, St. Petersburg received over 6 inches (150 mm).[6] Heavy winds and rains also occurred in the Florida panhandle, with a 43 mph (69 km/h) recorded in Pensacola Beach.[38] [39] Throughout Florida's Gulf Coast, Bertha generated increased swells.[40] Multiple sea turtle nests were destroyed by the storm across northeast Florida, including St. George Island, Destin, and Panacea, with volunteers spending several hours searching for surviving sea turtle hatchlings.[41] [42] Fifteen nests were destroyed in only Escambia County.[43] A park in Shalimar had to be closed after Bertha downed a power line and trees.[44] Another park in Milton along with the city's riverwalk were closed due to flooding from storm surge.[44] A boardwalk in Pensacola had to be closed due to damage from Bertha.[45] Two state parks in the Florida Panhandle, St. Andrews State Park and T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, were also shut down in the wake of the storm.[46] A Waffle House's sign fell onto a car in Pensacola Beach.[45]

A road along the Dog River was forced to close to flooding.[44] Other roads in Mobile, Alabama, also became inundated by storm surge.[47] Wind gusts in Dauphin Island reached 41 mph (66 km/h).[48] Six automobiles became trapped in sand after storm surge from Bertha in Dauphin Island, while beach erosion and road closures also occurred. Waves measuring 9 feet (2.7 m) to 11 feet (3.4 m) impacted the coast at Orange Beach causing the issuance of double red flag warnings.[49] The pier at Gulf State Park was closed due to damage from Bertha.[50] In coastal Mississippi, gusts reached up to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h).[51] Tidal flooding occurred in Biloxi and Ocean Springs.[52]

In southeast Louisiana, wind gusts peaked at 63 mph (101 km/h) in Venice.[53] Venetian Isles was partially inundated by water from canals.[54] Part of Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans was flooded after waves from Lake Pontchartrain overtopped the seawall, overwhelming storm drains and causing street flooding.[49] As the warm core of the storm moved over Lake Charles, the heat index reached 121 °F (49 °C) on July 22.[55] This spell of extreme heat was partially caused by Bertha's asymmetrical shape, which could not inhibit temperatures through cloud cover.[9]

Rainfall in parts of the Texas coast was about one–two inches (25–51 mm).[56] Some flooding occurred in the region, particularly in areas without good drainage.[56] The Starship flight test 13 launch by SpaceX at Starbase was postponed one day due to cloudy conditions caused by Bertha.[57]

Elsewhere

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Moisture from Bertha and a storm system over Ohio and West Virginia caused a flood threat for several states in the Southeastern United States away from the Gulf Coast. On July 22, five inches (130 mm) of rain fell near Knoxville, Tennessee in just a few hours.[58] Portions of Interstate 40 near Durham, North Carolina were briefly closed due to flooding on July 23. Rainfall in the state was largely beneficial, alleviating a prolonged drought.[14]

See also

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References

[edit ]
  1. 1 2 "Weekly Cat Report" (PDF). Aon plc . July 24, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  2. ↑ Katz, Jeremy; Cangialosi, John (July 17, 2026). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  3. ↑ Cangialosi, John; Katz, Jeremy (July 18, 2026). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  4. ↑ Cangialosi, John (July 19, 2026). "Tropical Depression Two Discussion Number 1". National Hurricane Center . Miami, Florida . Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Nord, Melissa (July 19, 2026). "Tropical Depression Two forms in the Gulf, will bring heavy rain and coastal flooding". CNN. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Sans, Irene (July 20, 2026). "Tropical Depression 2 crawls in the Gulf, trying to organize". Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  7. ↑ Pasch, Richard (July 20, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha Intermediate Advisory Number 6A". National Hurricane Center . Miami, Florida . Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  8. ↑ Reinhart, Brad (July 21, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha Discussion Number 10". National Hurricane Center . Miami, Florida . Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Sans, Irene (July 22, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha makes its first landfall in southeastern Louisiana". Yale Climate Connections. Archived from the original on July 24, 2026. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  10. ↑ Pasch (July 21, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha Advisory Number 11". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  11. ↑ Papin, Philippe (July 22, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha Discussion Number 12". National Hurricane Center . Miami, Florida . Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  12. ↑ Reinhart, Brad; Berg, Robbie (July 22, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center . Miami, Florida . Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  13. ↑ Beven, Jack (July 23, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha Discussion Number 16". National Hurricane Center . Miami, Florida . Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Smith, Dakota; Waxman, Briana; Dolce, Chris (July 23, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha moves inland over Texas-Louisiana border as it fuels flood threat in the East". CNN . Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  15. ↑ Cangialosi, John; Zelinsky, Rachel (July 23, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha Discussion Number 18". National Hurricane Center . Miami, Florida . Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  16. ↑ Pasch, Richard (July 24, 2026). "Remnants Of Bertha Discussion Number 19". National Hurricane Center . Miami, Florida . Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  17. ↑ Gutleber, Allison (July 22, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha maintains strength toward Texas coast". KIAH-TV . Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Tropical depression edges toward US Gulf Coast nearing tropical storm strength, forecasters say". Associated Press . New Orleans. July 20, 2026. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  19. ↑ Seewer, John (July 22, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall on southern Louisiana with threatening winds". Associated Press . Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Tropical Storm Bertha forecast to bring heavy rain, flooding along the Gulf Coast". Public Broadcasting Service . July 21, 2026. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  21. ↑ Gulf Islands National Seashore closes multiple areas ahead of Bertha (Video). July 21, 2026. Retrieved July 21, 2026 – via WLOX-TV.
  22. ↑ Sarabia, Camille (July 20, 2026). "Florida's Panhandle counties prepare flood-prone areas as Tropical Storm Bertha threat grows". WRBW-TV . Escambia County, Florida . Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Northwest Florida closures announced as Tropical Storm Bertha preparations underway". WEAR-TV. July 21, 2026. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  24. ↑ James, Hannah (July 21, 2026). "Escambia County, Pensacola officials preparing for Tropical Storm Bertha". WEAR-TV . Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Tropical Storm Bertha puts Gulf Coast insurers on alert". Insurance Business. July 21, 2026. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  26. ↑ Lowrey, Erin (July 19, 2026). "Here is where you can get sandbags before this week's flood threat". WDSU-TV . Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  27. ↑ "LIST: Sandbag sites open as tropical system develops in the Gulf". WLOX-TV . July 20, 2026. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  28. ↑ Morris, Athina (July 20, 2026). "St. Bernard Parish floodgates closing Tuesday ahead of tropical system". WWL-TV . Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  29. 1 2 "Terrebonne, Lafourche parishes conduct storm preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Bertha". WVUE-TV . July 22, 2026. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  30. ↑ Walberg, Rae (July 20, 2026). "SWBNO addresses past storm problems as Tropical Storm Bertha approaches". WWL-TV . Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Schools, government offices and more closing in advance of Tropical Storm Bertha". WVUE-TV . July 22, 2026. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  32. ↑ Louisiana, Gray (July 21, 2026). "Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo delays festivities as Bertha approaches Louisiana". WVUE-TV . Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  33. ↑ Sanchez, Raymond (July 20, 2026). "Major oil refinery suspends some operations along Gulf in anticipation of Tropical Depression Two". FOX Weather. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Tropical Storm Bertha moves inland near Texas-Louisiana border, NHC says". Reuters . July 24, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  35. ↑ Bynum, Russ (July 23, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha weakens after bringing strong winds and heavy surf to Louisiana and Texas". Associated Press . Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Railroads prepare for Gulf Coast storm". Trains Pro. July 20, 2026. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  37. ↑ Tropical Depression Two forms in the northern Gulf (Video). July 19, 2026. Retrieved July 19, 2026 – via WWSB-TV.
  38. ↑ Inez, Staci (July 20, 2026). "'Be very careful': Franklin County sheriff urges residents to be safe amid Tropical Depression Two". WCTV . Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  39. ↑ Richard Pasch (July 21, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha Public Advisory Number 10A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  40. ↑ Bridges, C. A.; McCloud, Cheryl; Luciani, Kim (July 20, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha forms off Florida coast". Tallahassee Democrat . Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  41. ↑ Cheryl McCloud; Kim Luciani (July 21, 2026). "July 21 recap: Parts of Florida feeling impacts from Tropical Storm Bertha". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  42. ↑ Myers, Alexandra (July 22, 2026). "Dozens of baby sea turtle nests lost as Tropical Storm Bertha batters Florida coast". FOX Weather. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  43. ↑ O'Gara, Hannah (July 30, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha washes away roughly 15 sea turtle nests on Escambia County beaches". WKRG-TV . Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  44. 1 2 3 Boni, Thomas (July 22, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha leads to closures in Alabama and Florida: List". WKRG-TV . Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  45. 1 2 Bynum, Russ (July 23, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha strikes Gulf Coast near the Texas-Louisiana line in second landfall". Associated Press . Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Tropical Storm Bertha closes two State parks in the Panhandle". WJHG. July 23, 2026. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall". NBC Nightly News . July 22, 2026. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall in St Bernard Parish, Louisiana, heads toward upper Texas coast". The Watchers. July 22, 2026. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  49. 1 2 Emilee Speck (July 24, 2026). "Bertha makes 2 Gulf Coast landfalls, causes flooding and beach erosion". AccuWeather. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Gulf State Park pier remains closed after Tropical Storm Bertha". WALA-TV. July 23, 2026. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  51. ↑ Williams, Wesley; Graham, Taylor; Jeansonne, Eric; Colby, Aaron (July 15, 2026). "Bertha moving away, tropical impacts end for South Mississippi". WLOX-TV . Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  52. ↑ Tracking Bertha: Flooding at the Ocean Springs Harbor (Video). July 22, 2026. Retrieved July 22, 2026 – via WLOX-TV.
  53. ↑ Sibley, Derek (July 23, 2026). "Highest wind reports for Tropical Storm Bertha so far". WDSU-TV . Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Bertha closes in on Louisiana as water covers streets in Venetian Isles". WVUE-TV . July 22, 2026. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Unprecedented overlap of warnings amidst Tropical Storm Bertha". WBRZ. July 22, 2026. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  56. 1 2 Sans, Irene (July 22, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha makes its second U.S. landfall, degenerates into a trough". Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  57. ↑ Brandon Lingle (July 23, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha forces SpaceX to postpone Starship launch from South Texas". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Tropical Storm Bertha fuels a serious flood threat on the East Coast after making landfall in Louisiana". ABC 12. July 23, 2026. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
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