Tropical storm Bertha has intensified in the Gulf of Mexico and threatens states in the southern US with strong winds and flooding.

Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the Atlantic season, has intensified in the Gulf of Mexico and is located about 115 kilometers southeast of Panama City, Florida. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the storm is moving slowly northwest, with wind gusts of up to 97 km/h. Coastal regions of Florida and Louisiana have been placed on tropical storm alert, and meteorologists warn of possible flooding along the northern Gulf coast until the end of the day on Wednesday. Sudden flooding is expected in urban areas of western Florida and southern Louisiana until Thursday. Although Bertha will diminish in intensity, meteorologists estimate that this year's hurricane season will be less active due to the El Niño phenomenon, which reduces hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin. The hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, averaging 14 named storms and seven hurricanes.