Tropical Storm Bertha Forms: Gulf Coast on Alert

Tropical Depression Two has strengthened into Tropical Storm Bertha, prompting alerts along the Gulf Coast. The storm is currently situated in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, south of the Florida Panhandle, with sustained winds of 35 mph.

Forecasters anticipate Bertha will continue to move slowly, with a projected track generally west to west-northwest. Current models indicate potential landfall in Louisiana and possibly Texas later this week.

While the storm is not expected to directly impact the Northeast, residents along the Gulf Coast are advised to monitor updates closely. Heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, and dangerous rip currents are the primary concerns for areas from the Florida Panhandle westward through Louisiana and Texas.