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Tropical Storm Bertha strengthens as Gulf coast braces for flooding and surge
How this story is being covered
Extra Extra has grouped 13 reports on this story from 11 news outlets across the political spectrum. By political lean, that breaks down as 8 left-leaning, 2 center, and 3 right-leaning sources.
With a coverage-diversity score of 84 out of 100, this is one of the more evenly reported stories in our index right now — left, center, and right outlets are all giving it attention.
On reliability, 10 of the 11 rated outlets carry a high or mostly-factual reliability rating (A or B) and 1 outlet fall into our mixed or lower-reliability tier (C or D). Ratings are drawn from independent assessments and are meant to help you weigh each report, not to tell you which to trust.
Coverage of this story has developed over roughly 18 hours, so the perspectives below capture how the framing shifted as the story matured.
Below, the same story is laid out side by side as left, center, and right outlets reported it. Read across the columns and watch what changes: the headline emphasis, which facts lead, the adjectives, and what each side leaves out. The story itself rarely changes — the framing almost always does.
Outlets covering this story: The Guardian, Tampa Bay Times, CBS News, Florida Phoenix, The Boston Globe, AL.com, Louisiana Illuminator, Straight Arrow News, 1819 News, WORLD, Orange County Register.
Left(8)
The GuardianAJul 21, 1:07 PM
Tropical Storm Bertha strengthens as Gulf coast braces for flooding and surge
Storm warnings stretch from Florida to Louisiana as Bertha brings heavy rain, flooding risk and possible tornadoes Tropical Storm Bertha strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico and was moving slowly toward
Tampa Bay TimesAJul 21, 12:56 PM
Tropical Storm Bertha strengthens as it nears Gulf Coast
CBS NewsBJul 21, 12:53 PM
Tropical Storm Bertha threatens Gulf Coast with strong winds and rain
The Gulf Coast is bracing for heavy wind and rain from Tropical Storm Bertha. CBS News' Lana Zak reports on the storm's forecast.
Florida PhoenixBJul 20, 6:58 PM
Tropical depression expected to become storm; storm surge expected for Panhandle
A tropical depression prompted storm surge and tropical storm watches for Florida’s western-most areas. By Monday night or Tuesday, the depression is expected to become a tropical storm, according to
The Boston GlobeAJul 21, 1:16 PM
Tropical Storm Bertha in the Gulf of Mexico is moving toward the Florida Panhandle and Alabama
Bertha is the second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season after Tropical Storm Arthur brought heavy rainfall to the southeastern US in June.
AL.comBJul 21, 12:36 PM
Tropical storm warning for Alabama as Bertha moves closer
Bertha is the second named storm of 2026 in the Atlantic.
Louisiana IlluminatorBJul 21, 12:03 PM
Tropical Storm Bertha plods toward Southeast Louisiana
Preparations continue in Southeast Louisiana ahead of Tropical Storm Bertha, which is expected to bring rain and wind to coastal area starting late Tuesday.
Louisiana IlluminatorBJul 20, 8:01 PM
Louisiana gets SNAP waiver from Tropical Storm Arthur for hot meals
Louisiana residents who receive federal food assistance will be able to use their benefits to purchase hot meals or prepared foods as the state recovers from Tropical Storm Arthur, state officials ann
Center(2)
Straight Arrow NewsBJul 21, 12:00 PM
Tropical Storm Bertha gains strength as Gulf Coast braces for flooding, storm surge
Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, closes in on the Gulf Coast.
Straight Arrow NewsBJul 21, 11:47 AM
Iran conflict widens after 10 days of strikes; Tropical Storm Bertha strengthens
Plus, Trump hits Canada with new 50% tariffs. And Sen. Darline Graham launches a November bid to keep her Senate seat.
Right(3)
1819 NewsBJul 21, 12:27 AM
Tropical Storm Bertha forms in Gulf of America with winds reaching 40 mph - 1819 News
Tropical Storm Bertha forms in Gulf of America with winds reaching 40 mph 1819 News
WORLDCJul 20, 8:35 PM
Potential storm, “Bertha,” threatens Gulf with flash flooding - wng.org
Potential storm, “Bertha,” threatens Gulf with flash flooding wng.org
Orange County RegisterBJul 20, 9:09 PM
Tropical storms bringing big surf and beach dangers, hot muggy weather - Orange County Register
Tropical storms bringing big surf and beach dangers, hot muggy weather Orange County Register
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