All articles tagged with #gulf coast
Eight people have died in the United States this year from Vibrio vulnificus infections linked to seawater exposure and oyster consumption, with Florida and Louisiana reporting multiple deaths and nearly 30 Gulf Coast cases overall. The risk is highest for those with underlying conditions or compromised immune systems; warnings include avoiding raw shellfish and protecting wounds from warm coastal waters.
Health officials warn that Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria thriving in warm, brackish Gulf waters, can cause severe illness from contaminated shellfish (often raw oysters) or exposed wounds and can progress rapidly to bloodstream infection, especially in people with liver disease or weakened immunity. Florida has 14 cases and 2 deaths, Louisiana 9 cases and 5 deaths so far this year. Warning signs include worsening pain, redness, swelling, fever, discharge or blistering; seek medical care urgently. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, sometimes IV antibiotics and sepsis care. Prevention includes thorough shellfish cooking and avoiding seawater exposure with wounds. The CDC advises prompt treatment if Vibrio infection is suspected; warmer water, flooding, and major weather events can raise Vibrio levels along the Gulf.
Alabama health officials report 16 vibriosis cases linked to Vibrio bacteria along the Gulf Coast, with one death. Vibrio is naturally found in warm coastal waters, with higher risk from May through October, especially for people with open wounds who swim in salt or brackish water. To reduce risk, avoid coastal waters if you have open wounds or cover wounds with waterproof bandages when exposure is possible.
More than two dozen Vibrio vulnificus cases have been reported in Gulf Coast states this year, including 15 in Florida and 10 in Louisiana, with seven deaths. The bacteria thrive in warm coastal waters and can infect via open wounds or by eating raw seafood like oysters, with infections sometimes requiring intensive care or amputation. Prevention focuses on avoiding exposure of wounds to salt or brackish water, not consuming raw seafood, and practicing proper wound care.
Twenty-three Vibrio vulnificus infections have been reported along the Gulf Coast in Florida and Louisiana, with seven deaths. The bacterium, common in warm coastal waters, can infect through open wounds or by eating raw shellfish, and while usually mild, can be severe or fatal for people with underlying conditions. Officials advise strict wound care, cooking shellfish thoroughly, avoiding exposing wounds to coastal waters, and seeking urgent medical care for rapidly worsening symptoms.
Tropical Storm Bertha is approaching the Texas coast with a Tropical Storm Watch extended to Sargent; Houston is not expecting major effects, while the Gulf Coast could see isolated rain, elevated tides, gusty winds, and minor coastal flooding as the storm heads toward a likely landfall in Louisiana later today.
Tropical Storm Bertha weakened but continued a slow westward crawl along the Gulf Coast, with tropical-storm warnings in effect from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana and watches further west. Maximum winds near 50 mph with higher gusts, potential 2–4 foot storm surge from the mouth of the Mississippi to the LA border, and 1–4 inch rain (locally up to 6 inches) are expected as Bertha nears Texas; forecasters say it will likely weaken and could move inland over Texas in about 48 hours, becoming post-tropical thereafter while the hurricane season outlook remains below average.
Tropical Storm Bertha is moving toward the Florida Panhandle and Alabama, with forecasts calling for heavy rain and potential flooding along the Gulf Coast.
Bertha, the season’s second named storm, strengthened over the Gulf and is forecast to bring tropical-storm conditions from the Florida Panhandle to southeastern Louisiana over the next several days. Forecasters expect heavy rain (2–4 inches, up to 6 inches in isolated spots), potential storm surge up to 4 feet, and flash flooding risks, with tropical storm warnings and watches in effect as the system tracks northwest toward landfall possible in southeast Louisiana midweek.
Tropical Storm Bertha is tracking toward the northern Gulf Coast, bringing heavy rainfall and a potential life-threatening storm surge (1–4 ft), with winds near 40 mph; isolated tornadoes are possible in Florida, flash flooding could occur in urban areas, and New Orleans could face landfall by midweek as Bertha drifts west from Florida.
New Tropical Storm Bertha strengthened to about 50 mph and is moving toward the northern Gulf Coast, with its center roughly 110 miles south-southwest of Panama City and 170 miles southeast of Mobile as of the 5 a.m. advisory. The NHC forecasts a slow northwest to west-northwest track with some potential strengthening to around 60 mph before wind shear likely limits it, bringing Bertha near or along the northern Gulf Coast over the next several days. A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Alabama/Florida line west to the Louisiana border, with watches extending into parts of Florida and Louisiana, and a storm surge watch for areas from the Alabama/Florida border to the Mississippi River mouth. Impacts could include 1-3 feet of surge along portions of Florida’s coast, 2-4 feet near the Mississippi/Alabama border, and 1-3 feet near Morgan City, plus 2-4 inches of rain (locally up to 6 inches) and dangerous rip currents. The season outlook remains 8-14 named storms with 3-6 hurricanes for 2026.
Tropical Storm Bertha formed in the Gulf late July 20, is currently near stationary about 140 miles south of Panama City, Florida, with 40 mph winds, and is forecast to move slowly toward the northern Gulf Coast with potential strengthening through July 21. Tropical-storm watches and a storm surge watch are in effect, as heavy rainfall (2-4 inches, locally up to 8 inches) could lead to flash flooding, especially in urban areas. A westward shift toward Texas Hill Country could raise flash-flood concerns there. Bertha is the season's second named storm, and NOAA expects a below-normal Atlantic season due to El Niño, with 8-14 named storms and 3-6 hurricanes.
Tropical Depression Two is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha, bringing heavy rain and potential coastal hazards to the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to Texas. Locally heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, storm surge, rip currents, and a chance of tropical tornadoes are possible, with some areas expected to see up to about 8 inches of rain. The track remains uncertain, but Bertha could approach the Louisiana coast midweek and then move toward Texas, prompting watches and precautionary preparations ahead of the hurricane season.
TD 2 formed in the northeast Gulf and is forecast to drift toward southeast Louisiana as a tropical storm by midweek, bringing heavy rainfall along the Gulf Coast and into the Southeast; winds may reach tropical-storm strength (around 60 mph) with some models hinting at hurricane-strength possibilities, while strong wind shear and dry air likely limit rapid intensification. A tropical storm watch is in effect for the western Florida Panhandle, and moisture could feed heavy rains as far northeast as Virginia and the Carolinas.
Tropical Depression Two has formed over the northeastern Gulf with a more defined center and 30 mph winds, moving northwest and bringing scattered thunderstorms and gusty winds; meteorologists expect Tropical Storm Bertha to form soon, bringing heavy rainfall to the northern Gulf Coast, with tropical-storm watches in effect from Ochlockonee River to the Florida/Alabama border; the system is not expected to intensify beyond a tropical storm.