
Florida Tropical Depression Could Become Bertha, Bringing Gulf Coast Rain
Tropical Depression Two formed off Florida and is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha, with a tropical-storm watch issued from the Ochlockonee River to the Alabama border. The system could bring 1-3 feet of storm surge and 2-4 inches of rain (locally up to 8 inches) along the central/eastern Gulf Coast through Thursday, along with gusty winds and a flash-flood risk for parts of west-central and southwest Florida as it moves and potentially strengthens to around 60 mph. Land interaction adds uncertainty to forecast intensity and track. NOAA still projects a below-normal 2026 hurricane season with 8-14 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes, and 1-3 major hurricanes.


