Tropical Storm Bertha Strengthens in Gulf of Mexico, Warnings Issued for Northern Gulf Coast

Tropical Storm Bertha has strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico, with maximum sustained winds increasing to near 60 mph (95 km/h). The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued tropical storm watches and warnings for portions of the northern Gulf Coast, extending from the Alabama/Florida border westward to the Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish border in Louisiana. Storm surge and life-threatening rip current conditions are expected. Bertha is forecast to turn west-northwestward then westward, bringing 2 to 4 inches of rainfall with isolated totals up to 6 inches to coastal areas and adjacent inland locations.