Tropical Storm Bertha Forms, Threatens U.S. Gulf Coast with Heavy Rain and Storm Surge
Tropical Storm Bertha has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 110 miles (180 kilometers) south of Panama City, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) as of Monday evening (Source time: Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:33:36 GMT). The storm is moving northwest at a slow pace of 3 mph (6 kph) and is expected to bring heavy rainfall, storm surge, and potentially damaging winds to the northern Gulf Coast. A storm surge watch has been issued from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Alabama-Florida border, and a tropical storm watch is in effect from the Ochlockonee River in Florida to southeastern Louisiana. Forecasters anticipate additional strengthening of the storm in the coming hours. 
