Tropical Storm Bertha strengthens in the Gulf of Mexico and moves slowly toward the Florida Panhandle and the Alabama coast, according to forecasters cited by multiple outlets. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports the storm is located about 110 miles (177 km) south of Panama City, Florida, and about 170 miles (274 km) south-east of Mobile, Alabama. Bertha is moving toward the north-west at about 5 mph (8 kph) and has maximum sustained winds near 50 mph (80 kph).
As the storm develops, weather officials issue alerts for potential impacts along parts of the Gulf Coast. A tropical storm watch is reported for the Florida Panhandle, with a broader tropical storm warning and storm-surge-related watches in effect near the Florida–Alabama state line. Outlets also note that the storm’s slow movement and strengthening raise concerns for flooding and storm surge, with heavy rain expected to affect the region.
