PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Tropical Storm Bertha is stirring up the Gulf, causing dangerous beach conditions across the Panhandle.
Gusty winds, steady rain, and rough surf are being felt across the Florida Panhandle. Double red flags are flying across Panhandle beaches, meaning the water is closed. Also, the M.B. Miller County Pier and the Russell Fields City Pier were closed due to the weather Tuesday afternoon.
But visitors to Gulf County from Georgia say they are adjusting their plans and still making the most of their time here.
“We’re trying to stay dry; it’s not going very well, said visitor Chris Matthews. ”We just wanted to get on our bikes and ride out in Florida.”
“Yeah, definitely get a chance to come out and see the actual weather,” said Billy South, who is also visiting from Georgia, “we don’t get this where we are.”
They say they have noticed people going about their daily lives despite the tropical conditions.
“People running, riding their bikes, yeah, just out doing their thing,” said Matthews.
In Bay County, locals say the weather is nothing new.
“I mean, it happens a lot here; we just, we just really don’t care about it, you know,” said resident Wilson Wu, “We just have fun outside, fish, just to get our minds off of things.”
For visitors, the double red flags have put a damper on beach plans.
“This is the first day that it’s been double red flags since we’ve been here, but not the last,” said Tiffany Hamblen, who is visiting from Texas. “Not what we were expecting, but it’s still beautiful to us.”
Despite the storm, locals and visitors say they are still enjoying the beach.
“Tonight I’ll go fishing, and then tomorrow I will, and then on Thursday I will,” said Jonah Cummings, visiting from Texas.
Anyone who goes into the water while double red flags are flying is subject to a fine of up to $500 and may face jail time, so it’s important to check the flags and stay weather aware.
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