Tensions run high at a tent city in Haiti - as people still displaced from the 2010 earthquake - brace for Tropical Storm Isaac.
As it moved across the Caribbean late Thursday, forecasters expected the storm to strengthen to a hurricane within a day - before tearing across the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Computer models put the storm on track to hit off the coast of Florida by Monday - the first day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa.
Florida governor Rick Scott.
SOUNDBITE (English) Florida Governor Rick Scott
"It's full speed ahead. We are going to have a great convention. We are looking forward to the delegates coming. We are going to keep them safe. We do this. This is what we do for a living in Florida. We are a hospitality state that knows how to deal with hurricanes."
Workers filled sandbags to protect the coast - and across town, organizers at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, prepared for the four-day Republican convention.
Authorities have not ruled out postponing or relocating the event - if the storm takes direct aim at the Gulf Coast city.