Mandatory evacuations outside New Orleans as Isaac nears hurricane strength

Story and Video by NBC News
Written by Miguel Llanos, NBC News

Updated at 8:22 p.m. ET: Residents in unprotected, low-lying areas outside New Orleans were evacuating Monday as Tropical Storm Isaac grew closer to becoming a hurricane that could make landfall in or near Louisiana almost seven years to the day that Hurricane Katrina struck.

"All preparations to protect life and property should be completed tonight," said Ed Rappaport of the National Hurricane Center in his 8 p.m. ET update. He emphasized that water from rain and storm surge would be the biggest threat -- 6 to 18 inches of rain are expected.

Isaac's wind speed increased to 70 mph, just 4 mph short of a hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said in a late afternoon update. It also forecast Isaac would reach Category 2 status with 100 mph winds late Tuesday night. That's a stronger Isaac than forecast earlier Monday.

By 8 p.m., the center of the storm was 230 miles southeast of the southeastern-most part of Louisiana. Isaac was predicted to slow down upon landfall, which forecasters say could be the ultimate test of $14 billion upgrade to its levees and pumps.

In areas near New Orleans, mandatory evacuations were ordered Monday morning for "our low-lying areas — those outside the hurricane protection system — such as Lafitte, Crown Point, Barataria and Grand Isle," Jefferson Parish President John Young told TODAY.
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