Millions warned of life-threatening conditions as Tropical Storm Bertha heads toward US

A tropical storm near the US Gulf Coast is on a collision course with multiple states — and residents are being warned to brace themselves.

Dubbed ‘Storm Bertha,’ it’s expected to bring up to eight inches of heavy rainfall, high winds, and flooding to the south-east of the country.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has also alerted to a ‘life-threatening storm surge,’ while meteorologists have predicted states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama will be the worst hit.

The NHC said: ‘A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.’

Tropical Storm Bertha was located around 105 miles south of Panama City, Florida, on Monday. It was carrying wind speeds of 40mph.

By Friday, it’s thought ‘isolated’ tornadoes could even hit Florida.

It’s also been reported the storm has the potential to drift west towards Texas.

However, experts at AccuWeather say the storm could make landfall as early as Wednesday night, especially near New Orleans East, which represents roughly 65% of the city’s total land area.

This suburban expanse stretches toward Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne.

Preparations are being made in New Orleans, including the distribution of sandbags to reduce the chance of flooding.

Residents have also been advised to ensure local storm drains are clear.

Meanwhile, those living on the coast are being warned ahead of time.

People who work at sea are also being issued alerts as officials have said Bertha could have the capacity to capsize and damage vessels.

Currently, Bertha’s path is uncertain. Forecasters say if the storm stays at sea longer, it could result in a stronger weather system.

Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said in a statement that ‘a hug-the-coast scenario would keep overall winds weaker.’

Spaghetti models — a visual forecasting tool used during hurricane season to show the potential paths a tropical storm might take — predicts Bertha heading northwest from Florida.

The path then moves closer to the Gulf Coast, before skirting directly into Louisiana’s Black Bay.

If the multiple lines on a spaghetti model are effectively the same or similar, it gives the predictions more credibility and accuracy.

Phil Klotzbach, a senior researcher in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, has said that the storm is not predicted to get any stronger.

And, despite the NHC’s ‘life-threatening’ storm surge warning, Jamie Rhome, the deputy director, has stated the strong wind shear will reduce the rainfall totals.

This is effectively the change in wind speed or direction over a short distance. Jamie said that the wind shear will push the worst of the weather offshore.

Bertha is the second named tropical storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, thanks to an incredibly hot summer in the south of the US.

Last month, the short-lived Tropical Storm Arthur caused flash flooding and tornadoes in portions of the south.