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The Today's News

Florida declares emergency as storm Isaac nears

Tropical Storm Isaac to hit Florida Panhandle as Category 2 hurricane with winds of nearly 100 mph . Florida declared a state of emergency Saturday as the US state braces for Tropical Storm Isaac just two days before the opening of the Republican National Convention in Tampa.   Governor Rick Scott said the executive order was a "normal step" in preparing for such a storm, adding that the Tampa airport remained open and urging those attending the convention not to cancel their reservations.   "Florida s emergency responders are ready. And it s important that Florida s residents and visitors stay informed, have a plan and make preparations," he said at a press conference.   He emphasized, however, that the storm was not expected to disrupt the political proceedings in Tampa, which is north of where forecasters say the full brunt of the storm will be felt.   "We are going to have a great convention!" the governor added.   Tropical Storm Isaac barreled across Haiti early Saturday, killing at least one person, a young girl, and raising fears of mud slides and flash floods in the impoverished country still rebuilding after a 2010 earthquake.   Some 400,000 people still live in makeshift tent camps in and around the capital Port-au-Prince, raising concerns that the death toll could rise after a more complete assessment of the storm s damage.   The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said Isaac will likely become a hurricane Sunday and was on track to clip the southern part of the Florida before churning north to the southern US Gulf coast.   The storm could bring high winds and heavy rains to Tampa as an estimated 50,000 people -- including top officials -- gather for the convention, which begins on Monday.   The gathering will include speeches, parties and pageantry, culminating in former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney formally accepting his party s nomination and laying out his case for denying President Barack Obama a second term during a prime-time address Thursday.