Tropical Storm Bertha to form near US coast in just HOURS as millions brace for direct hit

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Tropical Storm Bertha to form near US coast in just HOURS as millions brace for direct hit

Daily Mail
By CHRIS MELORE
20 July 2026

A tropical storm is predicted to erupt along the US Gulf Coast within hours as millions of Americans brace for a direct hit and life-threatening conditions.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has named the disturbance Tropical Depression Two, but forecasters expect this system to grow into a named storm as soon as Monday afternoon when wind speeds increase to more than 39mph. 

At that point, it will become Tropical Storm Bertha, and it is on a path that will hit New Orleans head-on by Wednesday afternoon.

Heavy rain and sustained winds of more than 50mph are expected to impact the entire Gulf region, including the Florida Panhandle, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas.

Dangerous seas and waves up to 16 feet high could threaten boats and beachfront communities this week as Bertha barrels from east to west.

AccuWeather meteorologist Tyler Roys said in a statement: 'Tropical systems can bring dangerous rainfall, flash flooding, and other hazardous impacts regardless of whether they receive an official designation.'

Tropical storm warnings have already been issued along the entire Florida coast by the National Weather Service, from Tallahassee to Miami, with officials saying the storm could 'capsize or damage vessels.'

Up to eight inches of rain are expected in multiple areas, including Florida's Tallahassee and Panama City, and in New Orleans, where nearly one million people live throughout the seven-parish metropolitan area.

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https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-15990781/tropical-storm-bertha-new-orleans-gulf-coast.html

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Could have an effect on oil prices, if it hits just right.

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Bertha slams into US coast as forecasters fear tropical storm may gain strength soon

Daily Mail
By CHRIS MELORE
22 July 2026

Tropical Storm Bertha has begun making landfall over the US Gulf Coast as millions have been warned of potential flooding and power outages in the next few hours.

AccuWeather reported that Bertha began impacting the Louisiana coast, near the far eastern portions of St Bernard Parish, around 1pm ET on Wednesday.

Bertha, which currently has sustained winds of 50mph, is expected to continue moving over southeastern Louisiana at tropical storm strength throughout the day, but experts fear its path along the Gulf may help the storm gain strength as it moves west.

The AccuWeather team warned in a statement: 'If the center shifts south or a new center develops over the Gulf, Bertha could begin to reorganize before reaching the Texas coast.'

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued tropical storm warnings across a 500-mile stretch that includes the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Meteorologists predict the storm will 'hug' the US coastline, making multiple landfalls throughout the week in both Louisiana and Texas.

Major cities including New Orleans, Mobile, Biloxi and Houston will be in the path of Bertha, which is predicted to deliver dangerous wind gusts, several inches of rain, localized flooding and potentially hazardous storm surges along beachfront areas.

AccuWeather Meteorologist Breanna Grill added: 'While the exact track of Bertha can still fluctuate over the next couple of days, heavy rainfall and hazardous marine conditions are expected regardless of the storm’s path.'

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https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-15996657/Tropical-Storm-Bertha-strike-US-just-HOURS-millions-brace-floods-power-outages.html