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Bertha Becomes Tropical Storm, Brings Surge to Gulf Coast

7/21/2026

32 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The National Hurricane Center upgraded Tropical Depression Two to Tropical Storm Bertha with 60 mph winds and a 3-5 mph north-northwest drift.
A tropical storm warning and storm-surge watch together extend from the Bay/Gulf County line in Florida to the Mississippi River mouth.
Bertha is expected to bring 2-4 inches of rain, 2-4-foot surge, and 8-11-foot swells, with landfall likely in southern Louisiana or Mississippi late Wednesday.

History

Historical Context

After Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in August 2005—causing $125 billion in damage, breaching New Orleans’ levees, and prompting 20,000 FEMA staff and the Army Corps to pump 30 billion gallons of water—the National Hurricane Center has since tightened surge forecasts and evacuation plans. Today, Tropical Storm Bertha’s 60-mph winds and 2-4-foot surge revive those post-Katrina reforms.

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Story summary

The National Hurricane Center upgraded Tropical Depression Two to Tropical Storm Bertha with 60 mph winds and a 3-5 mph north-northwest drift.
A tropical storm warning and storm-surge watch together extend from the Bay/Gulf County line in Florida to the Mississippi River mouth.
Bertha is expected to bring 2-4 inches of rain, 2-4-foot surge, and 8-11-foot swells, with landfall likely in southern Louisiana or Mississippi late Wednesday.

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