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Tropical Storm Bertha nears Gulf Coast with flooding rain and strong wind gusts
Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Melissa Nord, Chris Dolce , KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 21, 2026
· 3 min read
Tropical Storm Bertha is gaining strength in the north Gulf and is expected to hit portions of the Gulf Coast from Florida to Louisiana, and possibly as far west as Texas. Heavy rain, coastal flooding and tropical storm-force winds are all possible through the week in its path. The second named s...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Melissa Nord, Chris Dolce, KXXV (ABC 25) News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Forecasters said the tropical storm had become better organized over the previous 24 hours.
Why this matters in The Waco
Tropical Storm Bertha's potential impact on Waco and McLennan County is a concern, given the storm's projected path and the region's history of flash flooding. Although the storm is expected to make landfall east of Texas, its outer bands could still bring heavy rain to the area, posing a threat to low-lying neighborhoods and areas with poor drainage. Residents should monitor the storm's progress and be prepared for possible flooding, especially if the storm's trajectory shifts westward. The city's stormwater management systems will be put to the test, and residents can expect updates from local authorities on any necessary precautions or evacuations. As the storm approaches, Waco's emergency management officials will likely be in close contact with state and federal agencies to coordinate a response and provide aid to affected areas.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Tropical Storm Bertha is gaining strength in the north Gulf and is expected to hit portions of the Gulf Coast from Florida to Louisiana, and possibly as far west as Texas. Heavy rain, coastal flooding and tropical storm-force winds are all possible through the week in its path. The second named s...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Melissa Nord, Chris Dolce at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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