Hopefully for LA and especially New Orleans, it follows some of the tracks which has it veering west close to landfall. Cuba is in for a big hit, and likely won't stop it's growth much. There is a high pressure system building to the east of the systems forecast path and could steer the system due west...so that it what meteorologists are watching for.

Storm surge tends to be greatest east of these systems, and is what is to be feared most as we have learned from the past. As it stands now, this warrants the hype and fear that is going on I would think. By tomorrow would should have a clearer idea just how close these predictions are and have been. But in any case, yup...pack those bags, be ready and again good luck Spicoli.