Tropical Cyclone Local Statement: Choctaw; Washington; Clarke; Wilcox; Monroe; Conecuh; Butler; Crenshaw; Escambia; Covington; Mobile Inland; Baldwin Inland; Mobile Central; Baldwin Central; Mobile Coastal; Baldwin Coastal; Escambia Inland; Escambia Coastal; Santa Rosa Inland; Santa Rosa Coastal; Okaloosa Inland; Okaloosa Coastal; Wayne; Perry; Greene; Stone; George

Last updated: July 21, 2026

Affected area: Choctaw; Washington; Clarke; Wilcox; Monroe; Conecuh; Butler; Crenshaw; Escambia; Covington; Mobile Inland; Baldwin Inland; Mobile Central; Baldwin Central; Mobile Coastal; Baldwin Coastal; Escambia Inland; Escambia Coastal; Santa Rosa Inland; Santa Rosa Coastal; Okaloosa Inland; Okaloosa Coastal; Wayne; Perry; Greene; Stone; George

Severity: Moderate · Effective: July 21, 2026 4:06 pm · Expires: July 22, 2026 12:15 am

HLSMOB

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 THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING**

NEW INFORMATION
—————

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– None

* 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 100 miles south-southeast of Mobile AL or about 80 miles
south of Pensacola FL
– 29.4N 87.2W
– Storm Intensity 60 mph
– Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 6 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
——————

Tropical Storm Bertha continues to slowly move westward this
afternoon. A general west-northwest to west motion is expected through
tonight with the center of Bertha moving across our offshore gulf
waters this evening into Wednesday morning. The storm will move
further west and out of the local area during the day on Wednesday.
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 late 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.

A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect for the Alabama coast and
coastal Escambia County, Florida for inundation of 1 to 3 feet during
high tide Wednesday morning and possibly again Thursday 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…northwest
Florida…south central Alabama…and inland southeast Mississippi.,
little to no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Prepare for 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 10 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

Source: NWS Mobile AL (U.S. National Weather Service). Always follow official guidance. weather.gov