Three tropical storm systems threatening Florida, Haiti and Bermuda

Three tropical systems were churning early Monday in the Atlantic basin and threatening to impact the U.S. Gulf Coast, some Caribbean islands including earthquake-damaged Haiti, and the island territory of Bermuda. Tropical Storm Fred was located in the Gulf of Mexico and could make landfall by Monday evening along the Florida Panhandle, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. A tropical storm warning and a storm surge warning were in effect for coastal areas.

Fred had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was located 160 miles south of Panama City, Florida. It was traveling north at 9 mph. Forecasters said the system could slightly strengthen before landfall. The main threats from Fred were rainfall - anywhere from 4 to 8 inches for Florida's Big Bend and Panhandle - and storm surge. High water between 3 to 5 feet could enter the area between Indian Pass and the Steinhatchee River, depending on the tide at the time of Fred's arrival.