Iberia Parish is now under a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning, as Tropical Storm Isaac charts a path to run up the Mississippi River, according to the latest forecasting models.

The National Weather Service issued a hurricane watch this morning, running from Intracoastal City to Morgan City, according to a prepared statement released by the organization. The same area is under a tropical storm warning. The watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. The warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.

As of 10 a.m., the storm’s latest coordinates were 26.1 degrees north by 85.3 degrees west, and Isaac’s maximum sustained winds were 65 mph as it moved west by northwest in the Gulf of Mexico, the statement said.

“Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours,” the statement said.

Iberia, Vermilion and St. Mary parishes can expect tides at 3-6 feet above normal for late Tuesday and Wednesday, according to a statement released by Lake Charles’ NWS office. Also 2-4 inches of rain is forecast for south-central and central Louisiana on Tuesday and into Wednesday. Currently there is “low risk” for tornados. And dangerous surf conditions can be expected.

Based on the current forecast, winds are expected at 40-60 mph across south-central and central Louisiana for Tuesday and Wednesday, the statement said.

There was a 10 a.m. conference call today between NWS, Louisiana’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and local officials, which should provide important details as the parish considers evacuations and shelters. Right now the parish has not opened any shelters, said Prescott Marshall, director of the Iberia Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness/911.

“We do not currently expect to open up any shelters,” Marshall said, but noted that could change at the meeting.

Marshall said the parish has made no decision on issuing sandbags and he was unsure whether they would be given out. As of 8:30 a.m. no evacuations were scheduled for the parish, but there was no guarantee it would stay that way.

“That could all change after the 10 a.m. update,” Marshall said.

Ultimately, residents need to prepare as if a category 1 hurricane will directly hit the area, Marshall said.

“(It) could shift, if you look at the cone of uncertainty, and hit us here in Iberia Parish,” he said.

Also, Marshall noted the forecast has reduced the storms severity. Previously, it was a potential category 2 hurricane, now it’s a potential category 1 storm.

He recommend residents fill up their gas tanks, stock nonperishable foods, bottled water, check their medicines and look in on elderly relatives and those who might need assistance.

According to Iberia Parish President Romo Romero’s Facebook page, sandbag locations were scheduled to be announced this morning following the 10 o’clock conference call. Across the parish residents are gassing up their vehicles.

The Valero on Louisiana 182 in New Iberia ran out of gas about 5 p.m. on Sunday, said John Lusk, manager. A new gas shipment came in at 8 p.m. The station has a total of 9,000 gallons in gas tanks.

Lusk said Sunday was a little busier than normal.

“But it was pretty much a basic day,” Lusk said, noting this morning was “pretty busy.”

Only St. Mary Parish has shutdown schools as of press time. It canceled all classes and school activities for Tuesday and Wednesday, according to a statement released by the St. Mary Parish School Board.

As of press time, Iberia Parish had no school closures. A decision will be made after the 10 a.m. conference call with NWS, the state’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and parish officials, said Dale Henderson, Iberia Parish Superintendent of Schools.

“After the conference call I will be meeting our principals to discuss taking the precautions we may need to take,” Henderson said.

Henderson said he would relay school closures to the media to post an update online once decisions are made.

Meanwhile, at Cypremort Point, residents were battening down the hatches and preparing for the storm. Butch Schouest, who’s lived there all his life, said the area is under a voluntary evacuation.

He said he wasn’t sure if he’d ride it out the storm or take off.

“I wait until the last minute. We’ve lived down here all our lives,” Schouest said, noting if the storm keeps its current course he would weather it on his boat or in his house.

“We’ve got ways of doing that that’s safe,” he said.

Schouest said a lot of boats were being taken out of the water and put on trailers to be moved out of Cypremort Point. Others were securing their stuff and moving it upstairs.

“It’s a lot of activity,” he said.