A slow-moving system in the northern Gulf of Mexico has strengthened into Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The storm formed Monday evening south of the Florida Panhandle.
Bertha is drifting erratically toward populated coastal areas and is expected to threaten several states later this week. New watches have been issued for portions of the Gulf region as the system continues to develop.
Officials warn that storm surges up to 4ft are possible along parts of the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts.
Meanwhile, a separate storm, Tropical Storm Fausto, is strengthening off Mexico's south-west Pacific coast.