Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall but damage appears limited

Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, has been tracking along the northern Gulf Coast, prompting warnings for coastal communities. NPR initially reported that Bertha had made landfall with limited damage, but later issued a correction clarifying that the storm remained offshore at the time of publication. Forecasters do not expect Bertha to strengthen into a hurricane, though its slow movement is bringing sustained winds and rough seas to the region over several days.

Meteorologists expect sustained winds of up to 50mph and storm surge of as much as four feet for affected Gulf communities. While El Niño conditions are expected to limit the overall number of storms this season, officials cautioned that unusually warm Atlantic waters mean the risk of a destructive storm remains elevated, with the National Hurricane Center urging continued preparedness regardless of the reduced storm count forecast.