Tropical Storm Isaac strengthens into hurricane

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tropical Storm Isaac became a Category 1 hurricane on Tuesday, approaching the northern Gulf coast, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, said.

"Reports from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that maximum winds associated with Isaac have increased to 75 mph (120 kmph). On this basis, Isaac is being upgraded to a hurricane," the center said.

According to the center, Hurricane Isaac was currently positioned about 75 miles (about 120 kilometers) southeast of the estuary of the Mississippi River, and 160 miles (257 kilometers) southeast of New Orleans, the largest city in Louisiana, a state hard hit by Hurricane Katrina seven years ago.

Forecasters projected Isaac to make landfall on the northern Gulf coast by late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Earlier Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama warned residents living alongside the expected path of Isaac of significant flooding and other damages and urged them to evacuate in time to safe grounds. Enditem

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