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Tropical Storm Isaac: Obama declares Louisiana emergency Tropical Storm Isaac: Obama declares Louisiana emergency
(35 minutes later)
President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in Louisiana, as a strengthening Tropical Storm Isaac threatens to make landfall in the US.President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in Louisiana, as a strengthening Tropical Storm Isaac threatens to make landfall in the US.
Isaac is expected to strengthen to a category two hurricane before making landfall between Louisiana and Florida. Isaac is expected to grow into a category two hurricane before making landfall between Louisiana and Florida.
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.
Isaac killed at least 20 people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.Isaac killed at least 20 people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
The storm wrought significant flooding and damage in the Caribbean.The storm wrought significant flooding and damage in the Caribbean.
Wide path
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.
Earlier, the governors of Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama had declared emergencies in their states.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 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) 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).The National Hurricane Center (NHC) 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).
It could reach hurricane force in the following 24 hours, the NHC said.It could reach hurricane force in the following 24 hours, the NHC said.
Evacuations have already been ordered for some low-lying Louisiana parishes and parts of coastal Alabama.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.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.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.
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. But some New Orleans residents have decided to leave their homes anyway.
"I'm trying to get some petrol so I can leave early tomorrow morning to stay with friends in Baton Rouge," he said. Linda Grandison, who fled her home in 2005 and waited on a bridge for three days before she was rescued by a helicopter, has decided to leave early, the Associated Press reported.
"You can't predict God's work," she said. "This is nerve-wracking. I hate leaving my house, worrying if it's going to flood or get looted. But I'm not going to stay in the city again."
Storm-surge warningStorm-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 in effect for some 300 miles of the Gulf Coast in four states from Louisiana to Florida, with lower-level warnings issued 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.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.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.
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.
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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