Formed in the eastern Gulf, Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to threaten parts of the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana and Texas with heavy rain, gusty winds, and storm surge. For Alabama coastal areas, weather alerts are already in place: a Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Watches, and a High Rip Current Risk. Get our free mobile appThose along the Gulf Coast areas should know that the earliest reasonable arrival of tropical storm-force winds along the Alabama coast could be as early as this evening. In addition, “Up to 4 feet of storm surge is possible along the Alabama Coast,” said The Weather Channel. Plus, there is the potential for “a few tropical tornadoes or waterspouts are also possible along the northern Gulf Coast this week."