More than 50,000 residents of a southeast Louisiana parish have been told to evacuate ahead of Tropical Storm Isaac, while the governor says he is likely to skip the Republican National Convention.

St. Charles Parish officials told the parish's 53,000 residents to leave ahead of the storm. Earlier in the day, Gov. Bobby Jindal had also suggested that anyone in low-lying parts of the state's coastal parishes evacuate.

Jindal says he won't leave the state as long as it's in the storm's cross hairs. He had been scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention in Tampa on Tuesday.

A hurricane warning was issued for parts of the state east of Morgan City, which includes the New Orleans area.

Isaac is expected to be a strong Category 2 hurricane when it comes ashore along the Gulf Coast late Tuesday or Wednesday. Wednesday is the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.