New Orleans took a beating, no doubt about that. But it would have been far worse if Katrina had stayed on track.
There seems to be a difference of opinion on that question. But I think you're right. It could have been far worse.
I think hurricanes tend to bounce off land a bit, and it looked like Katrina kind of did that around the Mississippi delta peninsula. That might not have happened if the eye had been 10 miles more west.
I believe you just pray. Let God take care of the details. It may be His will or it may not be.
Lot's of damage here but would loss of life and injury have been greater if a direct hit? I don't know.