Tropical Storm Bertha Grounds Thousands of Flights Across Gulf Coast

(WS News) – Tropical Storm Bertha is disrupting air travel across the Gulf Coast this week, with the National Hurricane Center extending storm watches into Texas as the slow-moving system brings heavy rain, flooding and sustained winds of around 50 mph to the region.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect from the Okaloosa and Walton County line in Florida to Morgan City, Louisiana, including metropolitan New Orleans, while a watch has been extended west to Sargent, Texas. More than 1,500 flights were canceled and over 3,000 delayed as the storm’s effects combined with separate thunderstorms across the Northeast to force FAA traffic restrictions at airports including Boston, Chicago, Newark, Philadelphia and Washington.

Republic Airways reported the most cancellations nationally, while Southwest Airlines posted the highest number of delays. Louisiana is expected to see the storm’s greatest impact, with New Orleans and Lafayette facing the most significant aviation disruptions, before scattered thunderstorms linger over southeast Texas and could trigger further ground stops around Houston into the weekend.

Under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, airlines must offer a full cash refund for any canceled flight regardless of the cause, including weather, and travelers who would rather rebook than accept a refund can request that instead. The DOT does not require compensation such as hotel vouchers or meal credits for delays that fall short of a cancellation. Travelers flying through the affected region this week are advised to monitor their flight status closely, as tropical systems can shift quickly and airlines may adjust schedules with little notice.