People leaving Alabama coast as Isaac approaches - FOX 35 News Orlando

As Tropical Storm Isaac makes its way toward the Gulf Coast, people are taking cover and heading out of low-lying areas. At Orange Beach in Alabama, the winds have picked up, and it has started to rain.

The governor of Alabama order mandatory evacuations along the Gulf coast in anticipation of Isaac on Monday. The storm is expected to make landfall on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The governor is leaving it up to individual communities to decide how to enforce the evacuations.

In Gulf Shores, officials were ordering residents to leave by 8 a.m. on Tuesday. At Orange Beach, officials were more relaxed in their approach.

Former Riverdale fire chief Billy Hayes saw his share of weather emergencies. The Georgia transplant and his family prepared for their first hurricane on Monday.

"We're going to stay. During Hurricane Ivan, this house took on some water and that's our concern. It's not necessarily the winds -- we're just worried about the flooding," said Hayes.

Camille Warren grew up on the Gulf and said that she isn't taking any chances. She got her house ready for Isaac and planned on evacuating inland.

"We're packing up to leave and taking our precious things with us," said Warren.

In Gulf Shores, police went door-to-door to warn residents. While Larry Autrey taped up windows and door, he said that he wasn't leaving.  

"I don't think it's strong enough to worry about. If it was a category 3 or 4, I'd be in Birmingham or somewhere," said Autrey.

The Hangout Restaurant was still open on Monday. They said that they had generators on standby so if they did have to close, they could reopen quickly.  

The main roads into the Gulf beaches are expected to close on Tuesday morning. Officials warned people if they do stay, emergency crews might not be able to get to them.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.