Potential storm, “Bertha,” threatens Gulf with flash flooding

The National Hurricane Center on Monday said a tropical depression was drifting erratically to the northwest along the Gulf Coast and had the potential to become classified as a tropical storm Monday afternoon or evening.

Meteorologists expected rainfall to be between two and eight inches, with flash flooding as a resulting threat, in addition to dangerous swells along the Florida Gulf Coast. Authorities also warned that an isolated tornado or two could occur in the Florida Big Bend region.

Authorities set a tropical storm watch and a storm surge watch for parts of the Gulf Coast region. Federal authorities urged citizens in the areas under watch to monitor their local National Weather Service forecast office.

On the Pacific coast, authorities expected Tropical Storm Fausto to be reclassified as a hurricane soon, while Elida became a post-tropical cyclone, causing dangerous surf and high rip current risk off the coast of Southern California.