This Vortex plot yields a straight line course that passes 6.7 miles west of the center of downtown New Orleans.
Latest reports show the hurricane weakening. It is now a marginal Cat 5. Another 5mph drop and it will be downgraded to Cat 4.
earlier today, the forecast was for 30 miles east of NO. so the plot is steadily moving west all day. is it far enough west, the eastern eye wall will have a huge surge from the sea and the worst winds. how far west of NO would it have to go to to limit that? more then 7 miles I think.