A woman enjoys the a heavy rain in the Tampa, Florida, area, on Monday, August 27. Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to strengthen into at least a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall near New Orleans. 
Mounted law enforcement officials wait out a brief rainstorm during the National Republican Convention. Commercial bus cancellations caused by Isaac prevented many of the expected demonstrators from being present. 
A sign in the French Quarter makes fun of Tropical Storm Isaac. 
Workers place plywood on the windows of the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street. 
Aimo Ny rests on her cot in the hurricane shelter at the Belle Chasse Auditorium on Monday in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. 
iReporter Liz Yavinsky snapped this picture of a boy floating down a flooded street in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday. 
The manager of a shoe store in Harvey, Louisiana, places plywood over the windows in preparation of Tropical Storm Isaac. 
A crew from Jefferson Parish Drainage Department places large sandbags near a canal and pond in Jean Lafitte, Louisiana, on Auguest 27, in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac. 
A St. Petersburg, Florida, resident walks along the sea wall at Spa Beach, where larger than average waves were being kicked up by Tropical Storm Isaac, on August 27. 
Oliver Marti sweeps water from heavy rains generated by Tropical Storm Isaac off the roof of his flower shop on August 27 in Tampa, Florida. 
Waves batter the coast in Havana, Cuba, on Sunday, August 26, after Tropical Storm Isaac passed the island. 
Larry Hoffmeister, left, and Charles Carter place storm shutters on Carter's vacation home on Dauphin Island, Alabama, as they prepare for Tropical Storm Isaac on Sunday. 
Justin and Kayla Franklin of Tennessee walk in wind and rain in downtown Key West as Tropical Storm Isaac moves over the island. 
Biloxi, Mississippi, resident Stephanie Dale fills out paperwork Sunday to have her dog microchipped at the Humane Society of South Mississippi, which opened its doors to provide an emergency microchip and tag clinic. 
Ocean Springs, Mississippi, resident Charles Bartlett fills several gas containers in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac. 
Andrew Marino, left, and Colby Collier pull a wagon filled with sandbags back to their homes as Florida residents continue to prepare for Tropical Storm Isaac in St. Pete Beach, Florida, on Sunday, August 26. 
Palm trees blow in the wind in front of the Tampa Bay Times Forum, where the start of the Republican National Convention has been pushed to Tuesday. 
Earl, right, and Terri Harris place sandbags around their home to prepare for possible flooding. 
A couple watch as waves and strong winds from Tropical Storm Isaac, which passed by Cuba on Sunday, batter the shore in Gibara, Cuba, on Saturday, August 25. 
Strong winds bend palm trees in Cuba's northern province of Sancti Spiritus on Saturday. Isaac is expected to strengthen and become a Category 1 hurricane by early Monday as it draws nearer to Florida. 
A man captures the effects of Tropical Storm Isaac in Gibara. 
People watch from the shore as waves pound the coast in Gibara. 
Officials reported some storm surge and flooding in eastern Cuba. 
Tampa, Florida, area residents make preparations for the arrival of Tropical Storm Isaac by filling sandbags at a Hillsborough County Public Works Service Center on Saturday. 
A woman sits atop sandbags filled by Tampa area residents in preparation for the storm. 
Two men install storm shutters on Duval Street on Saturday. 
Vehicles cross a bridge leaving the Lower Keys on Saturday as the storm strengthens and moves closer. 
- Know what to do as a storm approaches
- Have a supply of items you may need in case of a hurricane
- Three days of water and food are recommended, along with a grab bag of other items
(CNN) -- In areas where hurricanes can strike, it is a good idea to have a closet or an area set aside for storm preparedness storage. You can keep items you will need in case disaster strikes suddenly or you need to evacuate.
It is also important to know the difference between a watch and a warning, and when they are issued for tropical storms and hurricanes.
Follow Hurricane Isaac coverage
A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions -- sustained winds above 73 mph -- are expected somewhere within the warning area, and it is time to finish preparation to protect people and property. "Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds" -- 39 to 73 mph, the National Hurricane Center says.
A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area, and are issued 48 hours before the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.
FEMA: We don't wait for storm to arrive A tropical storm warning means tropical-storm-force winds are expected somewhere in the designated area within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch means such conditions are possible within 48 hours.
Here are recommendations on what to do before a storm approaches:
-- Download an application to your smartphone that can notify people where you are, and if you need help or are safe. The Red Cross has a Hurricane App available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. A First Aid app is also available. 6 mobile apps for tracking Hurricane Isaac
-- Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood.
-- Bring outside items in if they could be picked up by the wind.
-- Clear gutters of debris.
-- Reinforce the garage door.
-- Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors on the freezer or refrigerator.
-- Fill a bathtub with water.
-- Get full tank of gas in one car.
-- Go over the evacuation plan with the family, and learn alternate routes to safety.
-- Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter.
-- Evacuate if ordered and stick to marked evacuation routes, if possible.
-- Store important documents -- passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds -- in a watertight container.
-- Have a current inventory of household property.
-- Leave a note to say where you are going.
-- Unplug small appliances and electronics before you leave.
-- If possible, turn off the electricity, gas and water for residence.
Disaster dining: How to stay safe and stay fed
Here is a list of supplies:
-- A three-day supply of water, one gallon per person per day.
-- Three days of food, with suggested items including: canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt-free crackers, energy/protein bars, trail mix/nuts, dry cereal, cookies or other comfort food.
-- A can opener.
-- Flashlight(s).
-- A battery-powered radio, preferably a weather radio.
-- Extra batteries.
-- A first aid kit, including latex gloves; sterile dressings; soap/cleaning agent; antibiotic ointment; burn ointment; adhesive bandages in small, medium and large sizes; eye wash; a thermometer; aspirin/pain reliever; anti-diarrhea tablets; antacids; laxatives; small scissors; tweezers; petroleum jelly.
-- A small fire extinguisher.
-- Whistles for each person.
-- A seven-day supply of medications.
-- Vitamins.
-- A multipurpose tool, with pliers and a screwdriver.
-- Cell phones and chargers.
-- Contact information for the family.
-- A sleeping bag for each person.
-- Extra cash.
-- A silver foil emergency blanket.
-- A map of the area.
-- Baby supplies.
-- Pet supplies.
-- Wet wipes.
-- A camera (to document storm damage).
-- Insect repellent.
-- Rain gear.
-- Tools and supplies for securing your home.
-- Plastic sheeting.
-- Duct tape.
-- Dust masks.
-- An extra set of house keys.
-- An extra set of car keys.
-- An emergency ladder to evacuate the second floor.
-- Household bleach.
-- Paper cups, plates and paper towels.
-- Activities for children.
-- Charcoal and matches, if you have a portable grill. But only use it outside.
Preparing for Isaac, state by state
Sources: American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Hurricane Center
Do you have a suggestion for this list? Post a comment below.
