Tallahassee, Florida – Tropical Storm Bertha is moving west away from the northeastern Gulf Coast, but dangerous beach and marine conditions continue across the Florida Panhandle today. Gusty winds, high surf, rip currents and lingering tropical rainbands will remain the primary concerns, even after all Tropical Storm Warnings were canceled.
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee and the National Hurricane Center, Bertha will continue tracking westward away from the region today. While the direct tropical threat is diminishing, minor coastal flooding remains possible this morning along Apalachee Bay and the Florida Panhandle coast, and lingering tropical downpours may continue through mid-afternoon before conditions gradually improve.
A Wind Advisory remains in effect for coastal Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla counties through 2 p.m. EDT in Franklin and Wakulla counties and 5 p.m. CDT along the Panhandle coast. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph could produce isolated power outages, blow around unsecured outdoor objects and create difficult driving conditions for high-profile vehicles.
Marine conditions remain hazardous as a Small Craft Advisory continues across coastal waters from the Okaloosa-Walton County line to the Suwannee River, including St. Andrews Bay. Seas of 6 to 12 feet offshore and winds of 25 to 30 knots will make conditions dangerous for small boats, particularly inexperienced mariners. While winds and seas are expected to gradually diminish later today, boaters are urged to remain in port until conditions improve.
Beach hazards will outlast the tropical system. A High Rip Current Risk remains in effect through Friday for Gulf and Panhandle beaches, while a High Surf Advisory continues for Panhandle beaches through Thursday afternoon. Surf of 4 to 9 feet is expected to create numerous dangerous rip currents and localized beach erosion from Miramar Beach and Panama City Beach eastward through Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe, as well as along portions of the Forgotten Coast.
Residents and visitors are strongly urged to stay out of the Gulf during periods of high surf, obey beach flag warning systems and swim only at guarded beaches if conditions allow. Additional marine or coastal advisories may remain in effect through the end of the week as rough surf and dangerous currents slowly subside.
