Tropical Storm Isaac: Residents advised to 'prepare for the worst'

People in southern Florida have been feeling the first effects of Tropical Storm Isaac as it heads towards the US.

Isaac is close to the Florida Keys and Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama have followed Florida in declaring states of emergency.

Speaking at a news conference, Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal urged residents to have ''a game plan'' and to ''hope and pray for the best, even as we prepare for the worst''.