Tropical Storm Isaac casts shadow over Republican convention

As Republicans bowed to Tropical Storm Isaac, cancelling most of their convention opening night in deference, there was some hurricane history they might have recalled.

Or perhaps wished to forget.

Tens of thousands of Republicans will be in Tampa for speeches, parties and the formal nomination of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney as the candidate to take on President Barack Obama in the November 6 elections.

Four years ago, Hurricane Gustav slammed into Louisiana, prompting Republicans to drastically curtail the first day's session of their national convention in St Paul, Minnesota. Instead of politicking, the day was devoted to fund-raising and other relief efforts for storm victims.

In a replay on Saturday, Tampa convention officials tossed out the schedule for today, save for gavelling open the event and immediately recessing until tomorrow. Although a direct hit on the Tampa Bay area was not expected, likely flooding and winds possibly exceeding 112.6km/h could make travelling through the region treacherous.

Forecasters earlier said Isaac was near hurricane strength when the eye of the storm passed over Haiti, where hundreds of thousands of people are still living in squalid, makeshift camps after a catastrophic earthquake in 2010. Six people died in Haiti and at least three were missing in the Dominican Republic. Cuba declared a state of alert in the island's six eastern provinces, where nearly five million people live, and evacuated around 5,000 tourists from beachside hotels.

Romney said the delay was necessary given the risk to life and limb. "The safety of those in Isaac's path is of the utmost importance. I applaud those in Tampa making appropriate schedule changes," he said.