Tropical Storm Berta threatens the US Gulf Coast.

A tropical storm in the US Gulf is expected to bring heavy rain and “life-threatening storm surge” to the southeast of the country, the National Hurricane Center (NCC) said.

Tropical Storm Bertha was located about 105 miles (165 km) south of Panama City, Florida, with sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) on Monday.

“Bertha will move near or off the northern Gulf Coast over the next several days,” the Miami-based NHC said.

Flooding and storm surges are possible in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi as the storm moves west toward Texas. Some areas could get up to 8in (20cm) of rain by Friday, and “isolated” storms could rip through Florida, forecasters said.

The tropical storm could increase in strength over the next several days before making landfall in New Orleans, Louisiana on Wednesday, according to forecasters in an updated advisory Monday evening.

The advisory added that tropical storm surge had extended outward about 70 miles from the center of the storm, and the storm was moving to the northwest at about 3 mph.

“A tropical storm watch is in effect for the Ocholocon River, Florida, west to the Jefferson/Plaquemins Parish border in Louisiana,” forecasters said.

Parts of the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts will be between 1-4 feet, officials said. Flooding can occur in the city.

The storm’s arrival comes during a hot summer in the southern United States.

Sandbags are being distributed to prevent floodwaters in New Orleans. Local residents have also been asked to ensure that the area’s storm drains are clean.

Bertha is expected to weaken back into a tropical depression on Thursday and dissipate as it nears the Texas coast by the end of the week.

This is the second storm of the season after Tropical Storm Arthur brought some flooding to the US last month.