Escalation: Tropical Storm Bertha Strengthens to 60 Mph

Tropical Storm Bertha formed Monday night, July 20, after Hurricane Hunters found Tropical Depression 2 had strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico, and by Tuesday, July 21, it was moving slowly across the northern Gulf. It is the second-named storm of the 2026 Atlantic season, with sustained winds around 50 mph Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasts differ on where Bertha will come ashore. The Orlando Sentinel, citing the NHC, said it could threaten the Florida Panhandle, while CBN reported possible landfall anywhere from Florida to Louisiana; Rice University noted threats from Florida to Texas, mainly heavy rain and flash flooding.

Early impacts were already showing up in Florida. WTSP reported Clearwater Beach lifeguards rescued more than a dozen people from rip currents linked to Bertha on Tuesday.

Officials and utilities across the region activated preparations ahead of landfall. The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East opened its Emergency Operations Center (WDSU), while SWEPCO in Louisiana and CenterPoint Energy in the greater Houston area said they were readying crews and equipment; AT&T said it was preparing its network and sharing connectivity tips.

Millions along the Gulf Coast were bracing for impacts Tuesday, PBS reported. Texas is still recovering from recent floods, adding urgency as Bertha approaches, CBN noted.

AI-synthesized from multiple reported sources