Hurricane Isaac Preparation: Gulf Coast Residents Scramble as Storm Approaches (PHOTOS)

The National Weather Service upgraded Tropical Storm Isaac to a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday, as the storm barreled toward the Gulf Coast. Coastal residents from Louisiana to Alabama were preparing for the storm by boarding up their homes and businesses and fleeing. Isaac has already left a swath of severe damage across Cuba, Haiti and other areas of the Caribbean Sea, and Gulf Coast communities were hoping against hope that the damage wouldn't be as severe. See what's been happening in those regions in the gallery below, from efforts to fend off damage in the Gulf to the ruins it's already left behind.

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See also:
Tips for Protecting Your Home Against Storm Damage
Underground Real Estate Boom: Bomb Shelter Sales on the Rise
Earthquake Preparedness: Are You Ready?

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