Tropical storm warning issued as Bertha threatens Gulf Coast with flooding rain and strong wind gusts | CNN

Tropical Storm Bertha formed in the northeastern Gulf and is expected to hit portions of the Gulf Coast from Florida to Louisiana, potentially reaching as far west as Texas. Heavy rain, coastal flooding and tropical storm-force winds are all possible in its path. The system was already spinning some bands of heavy rain into the Florida Panhandle Monday afternoon. The second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has winds of 40 mph and additional strengthening is possible. 🌀 ⛈️Watch: See the latest track and intensity scenarios for the storm on the CNN Weather app A tropical storm warning has been issued for coastal Alabama, Mississippi and eastern Louisiana. In these areas, tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 36 hours. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the western coast of the Florida Panhandle and the remainder of the eastern half of the Louisiana coast, including New Orleans. In these locations, tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 24 to 48 hours. Additional watches could be issued farther west along the Louisiana and Texas coast in the next day or two. Though now classified as a tropical storm, Bertha still remains