Parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast are starting to flood as Hurricane Isaac edges closer to landfall.

The National Hurricane Center says the center of the storm is nearing the coast of Louisiana, flooding some low-lying areas. Forecasters warn that rising water likely will threaten other low-lying areas in the coming hours. They say some parts of Louisiana could see surges as high as three to four meters.

Earlier Tuesday, President Barack Obama urged residents to get out of the storm's way, saying, “now is not the time to tempt fate” and dismiss official warnings.

The president declared states of emergency for Louisiana and Mississippi, making both states eligible for federal funding and other aid.

Forecasters warn the slow-moving storm is bringing heavy rains and maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers an hour. The system could make landfall by early Wednesday.

Hurricane Isaac comes almost seven years to the day after Hurricane Katrina slammed into the region, killing 1,800 people and causing massive damage.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said Tuesday that his city “dodged a bullet” since Isaac is only a Category One storm. But he said the storm is strong enough to cause damage and bodily harm.

New Orleans officials are telling residents to be prepared to live without regular water or power supplies for several days.

Isaac battered eastern Cuba Saturday, after killing at least 19 people in Haiti, which is still recovering from a devastating 2010 earthquake. Two people were killed in the Dominican Republic. There were no reports of fatalities in Cuba.