Mobile Reroutes Parking for Educators Amid Tropical Storm Bertha

On Tuesday evening, Mobile officials announced a sudden shift in parking plans for the week‑long MEGA Conference, the state’s biggest professional‑development gathering for teachers. With more than 3,000 educators expected to flood the convention center, the city can’t afford to leave anyone stranded – especially not with Tropical Storm Bertha looming.

The storm, still tracking about 105 miles south‑southeast of Mobile and moving west at a sluggish six miles per hour, forced a tropical‑storm warning that’s set to stay in effect until midnight Wednesday. The National Weather Service is already flagging a possible one to three inches of rain along the Alabama coast, so the warning isn’t just paperwork.

Because of the looming weather, the convention‑center’s main garage was shut down at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. In its place, the city is steering everyone toward the Cruise Terminal Parking Garage on 201 South Water Street. That lot is free for conference attendees, and a complimentary shuttle will be making the short hop between the terminal and the convention center from 6:45 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day.

What if the Cruise Terminal fills up? Organizers have a backup plan: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Parking Deck at 109 St. Joseph Street, right next to Regions Arena. That deck charges $5 for up to 12 hours, and the same shuttle service will keep shuttling people back and forth.

Patrick Darrington of AL.com, with contributions from Leigh Morgan, captured these changes as short‑notice announcements rolled out. While the rain forecast remains just that—a forecast—the city is erring on the side of caution, keeping educators, conference staff, and the town’s infrastructure safe.

If you’re heading to the MEGA Conference, pack a raincoat, plan for a little extra walking time, and hop on the shuttle when it arrives. Mobile may be bracing for Bertha, but the city’s determined to keep the conference on track.