Gulf waters along Baldwin and Mobile County beaches remained closed to swimmers as Tropical Storm Bertha continued to churn the northern Gulf of Mexico this week, with double red flags still flying at Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island. Officials in the affected cities said the closures would stay in place until surf and current conditions ease enough to reopen the water safely, and beachgoers who ignore the flags could face a fine or arrest.
A weather buoy south of Orange Beach recorded waves topping 12 feet at the height of the storm, with surf building to around eight feet along Baldwin County’s beaches. The rough water sidelined much of the deep-sea charter fleet at Perdido Pass, normally busy with fishing trips this time of year, as captains and anglers waited to see whether scheduled outings would still go out. By Wednesday afternoon, some boats had ventured back out on the water inside the pass and fishing activity picked back up there, even though swimmers remained barred from the open Gulf.
Dangerous rip currents were expected along Mobile and Baldwin County beaches through the week, according to a coastal weather advisory covering the area’s Gulf-facing shorelines. Officials warned that the currents can sweep even strong swimmers away from shore and into deeper water, and beachgoers are urged to swim only near a lifeguard while the advisory remains in effect.
Beach safety officials stressed that rip currents remain the most persistent hazard on the northern Gulf Coast, storm or no storm. Unlike an approaching tropical system, rip currents can form even on a calm, sunny day, which makes them especially dangerous for tourists who may not recognize the warning signs. The narrow, fast-moving channels of water can pull away from the shoreline through the breaker zone at speeds of up to eight feet per second, quickly carrying even experienced swimmers well past the point where they can touch bottom. Lifesaving officials say rip currents are responsible for the large majority of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards each year and remain one of the leading weather-related causes of death along the Gulf Coast.
Anyone caught in a rip current is advised to stay calm and float rather than fight the pull of the water, since swimming directly against the current can quickly exhaust even strong swimmers. If possible, swimmers should swim parallel to the shoreline until they are out of the current’s pull before turning back toward the beach. Anyone unable to escape a rip current should face the shore and wave or call for help rather than continuing to struggle against the water. Officials also caution beachgoers never to attempt a rescue on their own; going in after someone caught in a current often results in the would-be rescuer being pulled under as well. Instead, bystanders should alert a lifeguard or call 911 and let trained personnel respond.
At Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, city officials closed the water to the public outright as Bertha’s outer bands moved through, warning that anyone who went in anyway could face arrest or a fine. Surf built to a choppy 5 to 6 feet with a strong current running west along the shore, with the stretch of coast between Dauphin Island and Destin remaining under a moderate rip current risk into the weekend. Gulf Shores Beach Safety officials said the closures were not taken lightly, noting that waves breaking as high as 8 to 11 feet at the height of the storm made both swimming and simply wading along the shoreline life-threatening. A closure covers the entire width of the beach, not just the deeper water, since a strong current can pull a person off their feet even in the shallows.
Even with the water off-limits, the shoreline itself still drew a crowd. At Cotton Bayou Public Beach, visitors gathered along the sand to watch the churning surf and take photos, with little concern that anyone would try to sneak into the water under the double red flags. Several beachgoers said the rough conditions, while not the calm day they had hoped for, were still worth seeing up close.
Farther east, Gulf State Park closed its fishing pier as a precaution as Bertha’s outer bands stirred the surf, even though the bulk of the storm stayed well offshore. Baldwin County Emergency Management officials continued monitoring conditions throughout the week, noting that while rainfall was limited locally, strong wind and rough surf alone were enough to warrant caution along piers, jetties and other waterside structures up and down the coast.
Local officials routinely issue rip current advisories during periods of elevated surf and shifting Gulf conditions, and residents and visitors planning beach trips are encouraged to check local conditions and posted flag warnings before entering the water. Until the double red flags come down, officials are urging everyone to stay out of the Gulf and to keep a close eye on official updates before heading back into the surf.
Local law enforcement across South Alabama is carried out by municipal police departments, county sheriff’s offices, and state agencies that together cover a mix of urban, suburban, and rural territory. City departments handle policing within municipal limits, while sheriff’s offices provide courthouse security, jail operations, and patrol in unincorporated areas.
Local government in the Mobile area operates through a combination of mayor-council or commission structures at the municipal level and a county commission in Mobile County, with elected officials handling budgets, public safety, infrastructure, and zoning. Baldwin County has its own commission and a collection of incorporated municipalities.
The natural environment is central to life on the Gulf Coast, where barrier islands, bays, rivers, and wetlands support fisheries, recreation, and storm protection. Coastal Alabama faces challenges common to low-lying regions, including hurricane exposure, erosion, and the management of fragile ecosystems.
Mobile is the county seat of Mobile County in southwest Alabama and the state’s only saltwater port. Situated where the Mobile River meets Mobile Bay near the northern Gulf of Mexico, the city has long served as a commercial and cultural gateway between Alabama and the wider Gulf Coast. Founded in 1702 as Fort Louis de la Louisiane and ruled in turn by France, Britain, and Spain before joining the United States in 1813, Mobile carries a layered heritage distinct from the rest of the state.
Baldwin County sits directly east of Mobile County across Mobile Bay and is the largest county in Alabama by land area. It encompasses the Eastern Shore communities of Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Foley and stretches south to the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach along the Gulf of Mexico.
The Gulf of Mexico borders Alabama’s southern edge and defines much of the state’s coastal identity. Alabama’s Gulf coastline, centered on Dauphin Island, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach, supports a tourism industry built around beaches, charter fishing, and marine recreation, while offshore waters host shipping lanes and energy interests.
The economy of the Mobile region is diversified across shipping and logistics, aerospace and shipbuilding, healthcare, tourism, and manufacturing. The Port of Mobile is one of the nation’s busiest seaports and a cornerstone of the local and state economy.
The history of South Alabama is shaped by its position at the crossroads of cultures and waters. Indigenous peoples, including the Muscogee (Creek) and Choctaw, lived in the region for centuries before European colonization by French, British, and Spanish powers.
Healthcare in the Mobile area is anchored by several hospital systems and provider networks that serve patients across southwest Alabama, the Gulf Coast, and into parts of Mississippi and Florida. Large employers in the sector include regional health systems operating hospitals, clinics, and specialty centers, alongside university-affiliated providers.
Education in South Alabama spans public school systems in Mobile and Baldwin counties, a network of private and parochial schools, and institutions of higher learning including the University of South Alabama, Spring Hill College, and community colleges. Public-school governance rests with locally elected boards.
Local journalism serves as the connective tissue of communities like those across South Alabama, informing residents about government, schools, public safety, and the events that shape daily life. Outlets covering Mobile and Baldwin County help hold institutions accountable and give voice to neighborhood concerns larger media may overlook.
Charitable and nonprofit organizations form a vital safety net across South Alabama, addressing needs from hunger and homelessness to disaster relief and holiday assistance. Groups such as The Salvation Army operate local corps that provide shelter, food, and seasonal programs funded largely by community donations.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the principal investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice, tasked with protecting the country against terrorist threats, foreign intelligence operations, cyber attacks, and major criminal activity. Established in 1908, the bureau operates a network of field offices across the country, each responsible for federal law-enforcement matters within its region.
Probate courts in Alabama handle matters distinct from the trial courts that hear criminal and civil cases, including wills, estates, guardianships, and involuntary commitments for mental-health treatment. In Mobile County the probate judge is an elected official with broad administrative and judicial duties.