Tropical Storm Bertha targets the northern Gulf Coast; wildfires hold at Preparedness Level 5; flash flood and extreme heat threats stretch from Texas to New York

Tropical Storm Bertha strengthens in the Gulf with warnings from the Florida Panhandle to southeast Louisiana, including watches for metropolitan New Orleans. The nation holds at Preparedness Level 5 with 74 large fires, the Boundary Waters closure extends through Friday, and evacuations continue in Oregon, Washington, California, and Utah. A Flood Watch covers the I-95 corridor as severe storms cross the Northeast, Extreme Heat Warnings blanket the Southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley, FEMA adds three Texas counties to the July flooding disaster declaration, and West Virginia declares a state of emergency for Barbour County. EM Morning Brief is your concise daily update on national and state-by-state emergency management news. Produced by Sitch Radio, an EOC Voices podcast.Key Takeaways• Tropical Storm Bertha: Tropical Storm Warning from the Alabama and Florida border to the Jefferson and Plaquemines Parish line, Storm Surge Watch to the mouth of the Mississippi River, and watches for the Florida Panhandle and metro New Orleans. Expect 2 to 4 inches of rain, isolated 8, and up to 4 feet of surge.• Wildfires at Preparedness Level 5: 74 large fires are being suppressed nationally with five new large fires in Monday’s situation report. Evacuations are active in Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and California, and the Boundary Waters remains closed through July 24.• Northeast flash flood threat: Flood Watches cover the I-95 corridor from Pennsylvania through New Jersey and New York City, with a Level 3 of 5 severe risk over most of New Jersey and the strongest storms expected this evening.• Extreme heat: Extreme Heat Warnings run through Tuesday evening across portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas with heat index values up to 115.• Texas recovery: Kimble, Mason, and Menard counties join the major disaster declaration for July flooding, opening public assistance for infrastructure repairs.• West Virginia: Barbour County is under a 30-day state of emergency after intense weekend rainfall damaged roads, bridges, and water lines.• Worldwide Caution: The State Department advises Americans abroad to exercise increased caution, citing Middle East tensions and the potential for flight cancellations and airspace closures.SponsorsThe NIMS Store - https://thenimsstore.com/Descript, Edit video by editing text - https://link.bcolburn.com/DB-DescriptESET, Cyber Security Progress. Protected. - https://refer.eset.com/hip7rSourcesTropical Storm Bertha• NHC Public Advisory 7A: Bertha position, watches and warnings, surge and rainfall forecastWildfires and NIFC• NIFC Incident Management Situation Report: Monday July 20 national fire summary, large fire count, Preparedness Level• NIFC National Fire News: Daily national fire activity including California incidentsSevere Weather and Heat• NWS Mount Holly Severe Weather Briefing: July 21 to 22 flood watch and severe storm outlook for the I-95 corridor• ABC News: Northeast braces for flash flooding threat• Forth News: Extreme Heat Warning across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and TexasState Department• Worldwide Caution, July 20, 2026: State Department advises Americans worldwide to exercise increased cautionFlorida• WCJB: Lawtey under boil water notice after chlorine system issueKentucky• WKYT: Boil water advisory issued for areas in Franklin CountyLouisiana• WAFB: New tropical watches and warnings for BerthaMichigan• Oakland County Times: Village of Holly under boil water advisory due to water main breakMinnesota• Star Tribune: BWCA closure extended and air quality alert in effect as wildfires continue• MNICS: Superior National Forest and July lightning wildfires fact sheetNew York and New Jersey• ABC7 New York: Tri-state flood watch and two rounds of storms TuesdayOregon• Central Oregon Fire Info: Rowe Creek Complex evacuation levels, July 20 update• Central Oregon Fire Info: Hay Creek Complex update, July 20Texas• FEMA: Emergency declaration approved for Texas flooding• San Angelo Live: FEMA adds Kimble, Mason, and Menard counties to disaster declaration• NWS Fort Worth: North Texas heat forecast and heat index valuesUtah• Property Guardian: Weekly U.S. wildfire outlook, week of July 20, 2026Washington• FOX 13 Seattle: Washington wildfire and evacuation status including Kaiser Canyon FireWest Virginia• WV MetroNews: State of emergency declared in Barbour County