Keep in mind that if a hurricane watch or warning is issued an evacuation may be ordered.

FORBES: Will A Hurricane Dampen GOP Convention-Goer Spirits? Not If Business Aviation Plays A Role

However a hurricane watch remained in effect for the east coast north of Flagler Beach, Florida, to Altamaha Sound, Georgia.

BBC: Tropical storm hugs Florida coast

Thousands of people had begun fleeing the coast by the time a hurricane watch was issued Saturday afternoon for southeastern Texas to the Alabama-Florida border.

CNN: Mandatory evacuations to begin Sunday morning in New Orleans

For more on the death rate in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, watch Dr. Sanjay Gupta's report on Anderson Cooper 360 tonight at 10 p.m.

CNN: Paging Dr. Gupta Blog

The watch, which means hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours, was announced the day after many in the region marked the third anniversary of Katrina's landfall.

CNN: Mandatory evacuations to begin Sunday morning in New Orleans

No coastal watches or warning were in effect, though a tropical storm watch could be issued for parts of the coast later Saturday, the Hurricane Center said.

CNN: Tropical Storm Alberto forms in the Atlantic