The center of Tropical Storm Bertha began to move away from the Alabama coast on Wednesday but the risk for rip currents, rough seas and coastal flooding will hang around a while longer.

Preparations continue along the Gulf Coast for Tropical Storm Bertha, which could bring winds up to 50 mph but remains relatively weak.

He said most of the rainy, windy weather associated with the storm is to the south of the center of Bertha.