Active Weather Alerts
Tropical Weather Statement
Issued: 12:06 AM Jul. 21, 2026 – National Weather Service
This product covers portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi. **NOAA HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND THAT THE DEPRESSION HAS STRENGTHENED INTO TROPICAL STORM BERTHA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for Baldwin Coastal and Mobile Coastal - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Baldwin Central, Escambia Coastal, Mobile Central, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa Coastal * STORM INFORMATION: - About 190 miles southeast of Mobile AL or about 150 miles south-southeast of Pensacola FL - 28.6N 86.0W - Storm Intensity 40 mph - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 3 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ The depression has strengthened and become Tropical Storm Bertha. Bertha is located about 110 miles south of Panama City Florida and is moving slowly to the west-northwest. Bertha is forecast to move across the offshore waters of Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday morning before continuing off to the west. Impacts associated with Bertha are still likely to remain focused close to the immediate coast and offshore. A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the Alabama coast for potential inundation of 2 to 4 feet during periods of high tide Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Storm surge values of 1 to 2 feet are possible along the coast of the western Florida panhandle. While there are still uncertainties in the ultimate track and intensity of Bertha, dangerous surf and beach conditions are expected. A high risk of deadly rip currents is in effect from tonight through much of the week. A High Surf Warning comes into effect Tuesday afternoon into the evening hours for beach areas due to surf heights building to around 10 feet. Tropical storm force winds will be possible primarily along the immediate coast from Tuesday into Wednesday. While most of the heavy rain is forecast to remain offshore, locally heavy rainfall is possible in any outer bands that move ashore. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS: Dangerous surf and beach conditions are expected. A high risk of deadly rip currents is forecast beginning tonight, persisting through much of the week. A High Surf Warning comes into effect from Tuesday afternoon into the evening hours and runs through Wednesday night due to surf heights building to around 10 feet. * SURGE: Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across coastal Alabama. Potential impacts in this area include: - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast. - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots. - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents. - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages. Limited impacts are possible along the coast of the western Florida panhandle. * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across immediate coastal areas of Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts mainly across extreme southeast Mississippi...extreme southwest Alabama...and northwest Florida. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. * TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi.. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For the latest detailed evacuation and shelter information...please refer to your local emergency management agency at the phone number or website listed below. - Coastal Alabama: - Baldwin County: 251-972-6807 or www.baldwincountyal.gov/departments/EMA - Mobile County: 251-460-8000 or mobilecountyema.gov - Northwest Florida: - Escambia County: 850-471-6400 or myescambia.com/beready - Santa Rosa County: 850-983-5360 www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency - Okaloosa County: 850-651-7150 or myokaloosa.com/emergency-management - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Mobile AL around 10 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.
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