Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to bring heavy rainfall and coastal flooding to the northern Gulf Coast over the coming days.

Tropical Storm Bertha formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, becoming the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The system is currently moving slowly toward the northern Gulf Coast, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. Forecasters expect the storm to track near the coast, potentially making landfall by late Wednesday night near southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi. The storm is expected to produce 2 to 4 inches of rain across the region, with some areas seeing totals up to 8 inches. These rainfall amounts may trigger flash flooding, particularly in urban areas. A storm surge watch is in effect from the Alabama-Florida border to the mouth of the Mississippi River, where water levels could rise 2 to 4 feet. While dry air and wind shear may limit the storm's intensity, it remains a primary weather feature for the Southeast through Friday. In response to the approaching system, Chevron has suspended some operations and moved nonessential personnel onshore.

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