Advertisement

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

The Gainesville Ledger

Environment

← Front page

Tropical Storm Bertha brings rain and gusty winds to North Central Florida

Tropical Storm Bertha, which strengthened from a tropical depression Monday evening, brought periods of heavy rain and gusty winds to parts of North Central Florida, including Cedar Key, while tracking west-northwest across the Gulf toward southeastern Louisiana. The storm carried maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour, with storm surge and tropical storm watches in effect for portions of the Florida Panhandle and central Gulf Coast. Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said the state’s primary concern for the region is rainfall of two to six inches and that conditions did not warrant activating the emergency operations center at a major level.

Sources: WCJB TV20 · WUFT News

Poe Springs swimming area shut down over algae, low aquifer levels

The Poe Springs swimming area in High Springs has been closed after Florida Springs Institute researchers found excess algae and reduced water clarity during testing on July 16. Alachua County’s Water Resources Manager says a prolonged drought, combined with human water consumption, has drawn down the Florida Aquifer to its lowest levels in more than a decade, leaving insufficient flow through the spring vents. County officials are urging residents to reduce household and garden water use until conditions improve.

Sources: WCJB TV20

← Back to front page

Advertisement