2020 Atlantic hurricane season (CobraStrike)/Tropical Storm Bertha (2020)

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Tropical Storm Bertha was a fast moving tropical cyclone that brought heavy rainfall to areas of central and northern Florida in early July 2020. The second named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Bertha originated from a combination of the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur and a low-pressure area in the Bay of Campeche on July 2. Initially drifting northward, a shortwave trough forced the system northeast; Bertha intensified to tropical storm intensity on July 3. Continuing to strengthen, Bertha peaked in intensity shortly before making landfall] on [[w:Tampa, Florida|Tampa, Florida midday on July 4. As it crossed the Florida peninsula, Bertha weakened and became more frontal in structure. As such it was classified as an extratropical cyclone on July 4; these remnants dissipated by July 6.

As a precursor disturbance and tropical depression, Bertha brought light to moderate rainfall to areas of the Yucatan Peninsula, benefiting an ongoing drought there. Upon landfall on the Tampa Peninsula, Bertha became the first tropical cyclone of tropical storm intensity to directly strike the peninsula from the west since the fourth storm of 1899. As much of the rain was concentrated to the north of the circulation center, torrential rain fell in northern portions of the state, causing widespread flooding. Overall, the storm caused $200,000 in damage and two deaths, both offshore the western Florida coast.

Preparations and impact

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