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Tropical Storm Isaac: New warning for Louisiana Tropical Storm Isaac: New warning for Louisiana
(about 1 hour later)
A new tropical storm warning has been issued for Louisiana's Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Isaac approaches. A strengthening Tropical Storm Isaac is likely to hit the US Gulf Coast with hurricane force, forecasters say.
After lashing southern Florida, Isaac is heading towards the northern Gulf Coast, threatening New Orleans seven years after Hurricane Katrina hit.After lashing southern Florida, Isaac is heading towards the northern Gulf Coast, threatening New Orleans seven years after Hurricane Katrina hit.
Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama have declared emergencies.Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama have declared emergencies.
The Republican Party has delayed the start of its national convention in Tampa, which is to formally nominate Mitt Romney for president, by a day.The Republican Party has delayed the start of its national convention in Tampa, which is to formally nominate Mitt Romney for president, by a day.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that at 09:00 GMT on Monday, Isaac was centred about 180 miles (290km) south-west of Fort Myers in Florida, with wind speeds of 65 mph (105km/h), and could reach hurricane force in the following 24 hours. But concerns about severe weather remain, with organisers keeping a nervous eye on Isaacs progress north-west.
A hurricane warning is already effect for some 300 miles of the Gulf Coast in four states from Louisiana to Florida. The Republican governors of Alabama and Louisiana have cancelled their trips to the convention to focus on disaster prevention efforts.
Hurricane watches have been put in place along the coastlines of western Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and south-eastern Louisiana. Wide path
Tropical storm warnings are also in effect for many areas along Florida's Gulf Coast. Isaac is already a large storm and could bring significant damage to areas within hundreds of miles of its centre.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that at 08:00 EST (12:00 GMT) on Monday, Isaac was centred about 185 miles (290km) south-west of Fort Myers in Florida, with wind speeds of 65 mph (105km/h). It could reach hurricane force in the following 24 hours, the NHC said.
Fed by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it is expected to strengthen to a category one hurricane with winds of 74 mph (119km/h), and make landfall on Tuesday or early Wednesday, somewhere between Florida and Louisiana.
Wednesday is the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which hit New Orleans as a category three storm after quickly strengthening in the Gulf to a category five.
A hurricane warning is already effect for some 300 miles of the Gulf Coast in four states from Louisiana to Florida, with lower-level warnings in effect for many areas along Florida's west coast.
Forecasters say it has been difficult to forecast the storm's path, as different computer models put Isaac at opposite sides of a broad cone.
Low-lying areas to the north of the Gulf of Mexico are on flood alert. Evacuations have already been put in place for Louisiana's St Charles Parish near New Orleans and some areas of coastal Alabama.
Some mandatory evacuation orders are in place, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Tampa, Florida. The Florida Keys experienced rain and strong winds, the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Tampa says, but there were few reports of damage.
The Florida Keys have been experiencing rain and strong winds, our correspondent says, but there were few reports of damage. Earlier predictions said Isaac would be a category two hurricane on landfall, but despite the downgrade, National Hurricane Center director Rick Knabb told ABC News residents should not change their preparations because such storms often do not stick to predictions.
Isaac is already a large storm and could bring significant damage to areas within 200 miles of its centre. Officials are also concerned the storm could threaten serious flooding. Mr Knabb said "storm surges" of 6-12ft (1.83-3.66m) were possible along the Gulf coast, with the biggest dangers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Fed by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105mph (170km/h), and make landfall on Tuesday or Wednesday, somewhere between Florida and Louisiana. As much as 1ft of rain could fall, he added.
There is also a chance it may hit New Orleans on the seventh anniversary of the devastating Hurricane Katrina. US offshore oil production is expected to be badly hit, as are refineries in lowland Louisiana.
Caribbean havoc
US offshore oil production is expected to be badly hit, as are the refineries in lowland Louisiana.
BP has shut down oil production in the Gulf and is evacuating its platforms there.BP has shut down oil production in the Gulf and is evacuating its platforms there.
The storm has already caused havoc in the Caribbean, bringing death and considerable damage to Haiti, where at least eight people have been killed; floods and downed power lines affected Cuba.The storm has already caused havoc in the Caribbean, bringing death and considerable damage to Haiti, where at least eight people have been killed; floods and downed power lines affected Cuba.
Three people were missing in the Dominican Republic, officials said, including the mayor of a town near Santo Domingo, who was later confirmed dead. Three people were missing in the Dominican Republic, officials said, including the mayor of a town near Santo Domingo who was later confirmed dead.
Are you affected by Tropical Storm Isaac? Are you in Florida? Please get in touch using the form below.Are you affected by Tropical Storm Isaac? Are you in Florida? Please get in touch using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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