National Hurricane Center: Maps show Isaac Headed Towards Gulf Coast States, Expected to Become Hurricane Within 48 Hours

Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to become a hurricane within the next 48 hours, the National Hurricane Center reported on Monday.

The Miami-based center updated its hurricane warning for parts of Louisiana and Florida, including New Orleans. A tropical storm warning is still in effect for the Florida Keys, the east coast of Florida from Ocean Reef southward, the west coast of Florida from Tarpon Springs southward and Intra-coastal City to Morgan City, La.

According to the advisory, Isaac is getting "better organized" as it moves west-northwest at 14 mph. The storm is located about 185 miles west-southwest of Ft. Myers, Fla. and about 360 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Isaac is projected to turn towards the northwest by Tuesday, with a gradual decrease in its forward speed.

Storm surge flooding is expected for several states, the center warned. Isaac may cause between 6 to 12 feet of flooding in southeast Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, 3 to 6 feet in south-central Louisiana and between 1 and 6 feet throughout Florida.  

The center also warned that tornadoes were possible from Central Florida through the northeastern Gulf Coast in the next two days.

Three Gulf Coast states have declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, CNN reported. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley ordered mandatory evacuations for residents living near the coast or in low-lying areas, the report said.

In a statement released on Sunday, Bentley said, "I am urging everyone to take precautions now, monitor weather warnings, and be prepared for whatever Isaac may bring."

The storm is following a similar path of Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the Gulf Coast in 2005 and killed hundreds. Unlike Katrina, however, Isaac is only expected to reach Category 1 status as a hurricane.  

According to CNN, New Orleans, which was hit the hardest in 2005, has no plans of evacuation in place yet. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said the city was "much better prepared structurally" than it was when Katrina hit, but added, "if you are called upon, you should leave."

During its trajectory, Isaac inundated the Caribbean and forced Republican National Convention organizers to postpone the Tampa convention a day.

The National Hurricane Center's next advisory is expected for 11 a.m. 

Path Projections: