PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG\/WECP) – Tropical Storm Bertha is stirring up the Gulf, causing dangerous beach conditions across the Panhandle.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
But visitors to Gulf County from Georgia say they are adjusting their plans and still making the most of their time here.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to stay dry; it\u2019s not going very well, said visitor Chris Matthews. \u201dWe just wanted to get on our bikes and ride out in Florida.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, definitely get a chance to come out and see the actual weather,\u201d said Billy South, who is also visiting from Georgia, \u201cwe don\u2019t get this where we are.\u201d<\/p>\n
They say they have noticed people going about their daily lives despite the tropical conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople running, riding their bikes, yeah, just out doing their thing,\u201d said Matthews. <\/p>\n
In Bay County, locals say the weather is nothing new.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, it happens a lot here; we just, we just really don\u2019t care about it, you know,\u201d said resident Wilson Wu, \u201cWe just have fun outside, fish, just to get our minds off of things.\u201d<\/p>\n
For visitors, the double red flags have put a damper on beach plans.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first day that it\u2019s been double red flags since we\u2019ve been here, but not the last,\u201d said Tiffany Hamblen, who is visiting from Texas. \u201cNot what we were expecting, but it\u2019s still beautiful to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the storm, locals and visitors say they are still enjoying the beach.<\/p>\n
\u201cTonight I\u2019ll go fishing, and then tomorrow I will, and then on Thursday I will,\u201d said Jonah Cummings, visiting from Texas.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s important to check the flags and stay weather aware.<\/p>\n
To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WJHG on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Email news@wjhg.com<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Keep up with all the biggest headlines on the WJHG News app<\/a>, and check out what\u2019s happening outside using the WJHG Weather app<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WJHG. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n