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Tropical Storm Isaac: New warning for Louisiana Tropical Storm Isaac: Obama declares Louisiana emergency
(about 3 hours later)
A strengthening Tropical Storm Isaac is likely to hit the US Gulf Coast with hurricane force, forecasters say. President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in Louisiana, as a strengthening Tropical Storm Isaac threatens to make landfall in the US.
After lashing southern Florida, Isaac is heading towards the northern Gulf Coast, threatening New Orleans seven years after Hurricane Katrina hit. Isaac is expected to strengthen to a category two hurricane before making landfall between Louisiana and Florida.
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.
But concerns about severe weather remain, with organisers keeping a nervous eye on Isaacs progress north-west. Isaac killed at least 20 people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
The storm wrought significant flooding and damage in the Caribbean.
After lashing southern Florida, Isaac is heading towards the northern Gulf Coast, threatening New Orleans seven years after Hurricane Katrina hit.
Earlier, the governors of Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama had declared emergencies in their states.
The Republican governors of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi have cancelled their trips to the convention to focus on disaster prevention efforts.The Republican governors of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi have cancelled their trips to the convention to focus on disaster prevention efforts.
Wide pathWide path
Isaac is already a large storm and could bring significant damage to areas within hundreds of miles of its centre.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) href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCPAT4.shtml" >said that at 14:00 EST (18:00 GMT) on Monday, Isaac was centred about 280 miles (450km) south-east of the mouth of the Mississippi river, with wind speeds of 65 mph (100km/h). It could reach hurricane force in the following 24 hours, the NHC said. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/272049.shtml" >said that at 17:00 EDT (20:00 GMT) on Monday, Isaac was centred about 255 miles (415km) south-east of the mouth of the Mississippi river, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 70mph (110km/h).
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. It could reach hurricane force in the following 24 hours, the NHC said.
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. Evacuations have already been ordered for some low-lying Louisiana parishes and parts of coastal Alabama.
Fed by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it is expected to strengthen to a category one hurricane with winds of 74mph (119km/h), and make landfall on Tuesday or early Wednesday, somewhere between Florida and Louisiana.
Wednesday is the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which strengthened in the Gulf to a category five storm, before weakening to category three by the time it reached New Orleans.
Federal officials said the levees around New Orleans are now equipped to handle storms stronger than Isaac. Levee failures led to the catastrophic flooding in the area after Katrina.Federal officials said the levees around New Orleans are now equipped to handle storms stronger than Isaac. Levee failures led to the catastrophic flooding in the area after Katrina.
"It's a much more robust system than what it was when Katrina came ashore," Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate said in a conference call with reporters."It's a much more robust system than what it was when Katrina came ashore," Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate said in a conference call with reporters.
Mr Fugate also said that the storm was not just a New Orleans storm.Mr Fugate also said that the storm was not just a New Orleans storm.
"This is a Gulf Coast storm. Some of the heaviest impact may be in Alabama and Mississippi," he said."This is a Gulf Coast storm. Some of the heaviest impact may be in Alabama and Mississippi," he said.
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said it was "quite ironic that we have a hurricane that is threatening us on the seventh anniversary of Katrina", but said the city was prepared. Stephen Schmitz, who lives in New Orleans, told the BBC the atmosphere in the city was calm for now, but there were shortages of petrol and bottled water.
"The people of New Orleans have been incredibly resilient," he said. "I'm trying to get some petrol so I can leave early tomorrow morning to stay with friends in Baton Rouge," he said.
Caribbean havoc Storm-surge warning
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.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.
Evacuations have already been put in place for Louisiana's St Charles Parish near New Orleans and some areas of coastal Alabama. 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.
Evacuations have already been put in place for Louisiana's St Charles Parish, near New Orleans, and some areas of coastal Alabama.
Florida Governor Rick Scott told reporters on Monday that 60,000 people are already without power as a result of the storm.Florida Governor Rick Scott told reporters on Monday that 60,000 people are already without power as a result of the storm.
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.
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.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.
As much as 1ft of rain could fall, he added.As much as 1ft of rain could fall, he added.
US offshore oil production is expected to be badly hit, as are refineries in lowland Louisiana.US offshore oil production is expected to be badly hit, as are refineries in lowland Louisiana.
BP and Chevron have shut down oil production in the Gulf, and BP is evacuating its platform there.BP and Chevron have shut down oil production in the Gulf, and BP is evacuating its platform 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.
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 preparing for Tropical Storm Isaac? Are you in Louisiana? Please get in touch using the form below.Are you preparing for Tropical Storm Isaac? Are you in Louisiana? 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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