662
WTUS84 KMOB 211543
HLSMOB
ALZ051>060-261>266-FLZ201>206-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-212345-

Tropical Storm Bertha Local Statement Advisory Number 9
National Weather Service Mobile AL  AL022026
1043 AM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

This product covers portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south
central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi.

**TROPICAL STORM BERTHA WILL BRING COASTAL AND OFFSHORE IMPACTS LATER
TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Storm Surge Watch has been cancelled for Baldwin Coastal
      and Mobile Coastal
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Escambia Coastal, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa
      Coastal

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baldwin Central,
      Baldwin Coastal, Escambia Coastal, Mobile Central, Mobile
      Coastal, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa Coastal

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 140 miles southeast of Mobile AL or about 100 miles
      south-southeast of Pensacola FL
    - 29.3N 86.3W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 345 degrees at 3 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Tropical Storm Bertha continues to move very slowly to the northwest.
A general northwest to west- northwest motion is expected today into
tonight with the center of Bertha moving into the offshore Gulf waters
of northwest Florida and Alabama this afternoon and into tonight. The
storm will move further west and out of the local area during the day
on Wednesday. While some slight strengthening is possible over the next
12 hours, Bertha is likely to weaken some on its closest approach to
the local area. Primary impacts from Bertha remain focused near the
coastline and over the Gulf waters.

Dangerous surf and beach conditions are expected. A high risk of
deadly rip currents is in effect through much of the week. A High Surf
Warning remains in effect due to surf building to 8 to 11 feet along
the Gulf beaches, reaching peak heights tonight into early Wednesday
morning. These large breaking waves will result in minor beach erosion,
along with flooding of vulnerable areas of the west end of Dauphin
Island and the Ft. Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Coastal Flood Warnings are now in effect for the Alabama coast and
portions of the northwest FL coast. Coastal flooding will bring 1 to 3
feet of inundation along the Alabama and Florida coasts, coinciding
with high tide Wednesday morning.

Due to the sheared nature of the storm, most of the heavy rainfall
will remain well south across the open Gulf. However, locally heavy
rainfall cannot be ruled out in any rainbands that approach the coast.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Dangerous surf and beach conditions are expected. A high risk of deadly
rip currents continues through much of the week. Surf builds to 8-11 feet
tonight through Wednesday.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across coastal Alabama and coastal Florida. Potential impacts in
this area include:
    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
      immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
      farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
    - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
      with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
      surge water covers the road.
    - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
      in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
    - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
      and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...south central
Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi., little to no impact is
anticipated.

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
the 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:
Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across coastal Alabama and the western Florida
Panhandle. 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.

Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest
Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi.,
little to no impact is anticipated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete preparations in accordance with your
emergency plan.

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county in which it resides.
Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for
instructions from local authorities.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

* 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 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$