(Newser) – With Tropical Storm Isaac headed for the Gulf Coast, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency today and said he has no plans to attend the GOP convention, CNN reports. "My priority is the safety of our people," Jindal said. "And certainly as this storm threatens the public safety here in Louisiana, I'm not going anywhere." Jindal is expected to speak Wednesday evening if he attends.

But Isaac is forecast to be a Category 2 hurricane when it reaches the Gulf Coast Tuesday or Wednesday, the AP reports. Twelve to 16 inches of rain and strong winds are already expected along the coast as soon as tonight, and Jindal has asked 15 low-lying parishes in the initial danger zone to voluntarily evacuate. The governor also failed to make the 2008 Republican convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, because of Hurricane Gustav. (Read more Bobby Jindal stories.)

