Obama declares Louisiana in storm emergency

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama on Monday afternoon declared Louisiana a state of emergency, as Tropical Storm Isaac is gaining strength to impact the region devastated nearly seven years ago by Hurricane Katrina.

Perry Marie (R) helps his brother Roy pull his crabbing boat out of a bayou as they prepare for the arrival of Tropical Storm Isaac in Chauvin, Louisiana Aug 27, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Obama ordered several federal agencies to support the state and local response efforts to prepare for the approaching storm.

Earlier on Monday, Obama called Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant.

The southern US states of Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are on high alert on Monday against the threat of Tropical Storm Isaac. The states of Florida, Lousiana and Alabama have all declared a state of emergency over the weekend, for fear that Isaac might repeat the disaster that Hurricane Katrina brought to the Gulf coast just seven years ago.

Isaac's potential landfall as a Category 1 hurricane as early as Tuesday prompted evacuations along a wide area of the Gulf Coast. Thousands of residents living in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Monday were told to evacuate their coastal homes, US media reported.

According to the National Hurricane Center, heavy rains and flooding are affecting the Florida East Coast. Hurricane warnings have been issued along the northern Gulf Coast. Forecasters projected Tropical Storm Isaac will reach hurricane strength before hitting the northern Gulf Coast early Wednesday.

Wednesday marks the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in August 2005. According to the National Weather Service, New Orleans is also in the projected path that Isaac could cut through. The city could start to feel tropical storm winds by midnight Monday.

"That brings a high level of anxiety to the people of New Orleans." said Monday Mayor Landrieu on Monday afternoon, stressing everything is still within the capability of handling.

The oncoming storm has already halted the Monday events of Republican National Convention, which kicked off in Tampa, Florida.

Jonathan Sellers (right) loads sandbags with his relatives at a local government sandbag distribution point as they prepare for the arrival of Tropical Storm Isaac in Chauvin, Louisiana Aug 27, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]