Tropical Storm Isaac isn’t yet a hurricane, but it is growing in strength as it nears Haiti. The U.S. National Hurricane Center currently forecasts that the storm will hit the U.S. somewhere on the Gulf Coast. Isaac could land anywhere from Eastern Louisiana to the Southern Tip of Florida.

While Haiti braces for Issac’s 60 mile per hour (mph) winds, The Bahamas and Cuba have both declared tropical storm warnings for at least some of their provinces. The storm is now moving Northwest at 14 mph.

Issac’s recent Northwestern turn could be the worst case scenario for Republican National Convention Planners, who are holding this year’s convention in Tampa Bay, Florida. Tampa Bay is well within the probable path of the storm that the NHC has predicted. The worry is that the storm will disrupt travel plans or accommodations for delegates, speakers, and the media attending the convention. Convention planners yesterday issued a statement suggesting that they are in touch with the U.S. National Weather Service and are prepared to respond if Isaac hits Tampa Bay.

“The Republican National Convention and the Republican National Committee, working in consultation with the Romney/Ryan campaign, are in regular contact with the National Weather Service, Governor Scott and local emergency officials in an effort to track and understand the potential impact of the storm,” said William Harris, president and CEO or the Republican National Convention. “Governor Scott and local emergency officials have assured us that they have the resources in place to respond to this storm should it make landfall, as our primary concern is with those in the potential path of the storm. We will continue to work closely with them and federal officials to monitor the storm and discuss any impact it might have on the Tampa area and the state of Florida. We continue to move forward with our planning and look forward to a successful convention.”

(Picture courtesy the U.S. National Hurricane Center)