Hurricane Watch Issued for New Orleans
The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch for New Orleans and the surrounding area, as Tropical Storm Isaac barrels up the Florida coast and perhaps beyond in coming days.
As of 11 a.m. on Sunday, the storm is about 80 miles southeast of Key West in Florida, moving at about 18 mph and packing maximum winds of 65 mph.
Tampa, which is home to the Republican National Convention this week, is currently under a tropical storm warning, according to the center.
At a press conference on Sunday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott said the state is preparing for the hurricane to make landfall in the coming days, and he expressed concern for the Panhandle region.
“Around the state, we've got rain. We've got wind. We've got storm surge. And then we've got the risk of tornadoes,” Scott said. “If it ends up going further west—when it’s Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana—Florida will be ready to be helpful.”
On Sunday, President Obama called Scott to offer the resources of FEMA and the federal government, saying the people of Florida are in his thoughts at this time. FEMA currently has teams in Florida and Louisiana ahead of the approaching storm. The administration also extended an offer to provide resources aimed at guaranteeing the safety of those visiting the state for the Republican convention, the White House announced.
