The spectre of a repeat of hurricane Katrina is haunting the Republican party’s Florida convention and its elaborate agenda aimed at relaunching Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign.

The tropical storm Isaac drenched Tampa, site of the convention, yesterday and headed into the Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to reach hurricane force and land near New Orleans, which was swamped by Katrina in 2005. Having already cancelled events scheduled for yesterday evening, the Republican National Committee is concerned about hosting a primetime celebration of the party and its candidate if a disaster is also unfolding in New Orleans. Yesterday’s only official event at the convention was the launch of an electronic debt clock, providing up-to-date calculations of the US national debt inside the convention hall.

James David, a convention spokesman, said the Republicans intended to proceed with the three-day schedule from today, culminating in Mr Romney’s acceptance speech on Thursday night. But he added: “We are agile and we can move things around.”