Watch - hurricane isaac: gulf coast residents told to "get out now"

Residents along Florida's Gulf Coast have been told to "get out now" by authorities, as Hurricane Isaac continues to spread across America.

Overnight, 50,000 have already been evacuated from South Louisiana's St. Charles parish, according to ABC News, while in Alabama, houses are being boarded up to prepare for the tropical storm.

Indeed, new reports say that Isaac could reach hurricane strength by the time it reaches New Orleans.