Tropical Depression Two aims at Gulf Coast as flash floods hit Northeast, Utah

A new tropical depression, designated Tropical Depression Two, has formed in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, roughly 155 to 180 miles south-southeast of Panama City, Florida, as of Sunday, July 19, 2026. The system currently maintains maximum sustained winds of 30 mph and is projected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha by Monday. Forecasters anticipate heavy rainfall, ranging from 2 to 4 inches with isolated totals up to 8 inches, across the eastern Gulf Coast from western Florida to Louisiana, raising concerns for flash flooding in urban areas.

Meanwhile, deadly flash floods have impacted parts of the United States. In Utah, five members of a family, including a fire captain, his wife, and three sons, tragically died on Friday, July 17 or 18, 2026, after being swept away by floodwaters during an outing in a southern Utah canyon. Separate flash flood warnings were also issued for the Kolob Canyon area of Zion National Park and the Babylon burn scar in San Juan County, with heavy rains and potential debris flows reported.

The Northeast has also experienced significant flooding throughout July 2026. Earlier in the month, around July 6-7, severe thunderstorms caused widespread flash flooding across New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, leading to stranded vehicles and even a partial roof collapse at a commercial building in Ocean Township, New Jersey. More recently, on July 18 and 19, communities in the Northeast, including New York City, again faced flash flooding, water rescues, and travel disruptions, following days of reduced air quality from Canadian wildfires.