My wife, stepdaughter and grandchild are stuck in the grid lock on hwy 90 around Morgan City (East of New Orleans). She was down in Dulac visiting her family when they recieved the mandatory evac notice. Dulac is not lower than sea level like N.O.,, but it is only 2-3 feet above. It's basically in the marsh and not far from the Gulf.
My Inlaw's house is built 10 feet off the ground (mandatory for new houses since the last time the town was erased by a hurricane), but that won't make a difference if the surge is 15-20 ft. I fear that there won't be much left around there. If not blown down, it's going to be inundated with water.
Guess that's what you can expect if you live in hurricane alley.
As for N.O. I also have relatives that live there. My aunt leaves anytime a hurricane enters the Gulf, so I'm not worried about her. Hopefully, my other relatives have left.
Those highways better be cleared by the time it hits land. I sure wouldn't want to get caught sitting in a car during something like this. The highways out of N.O. are just about 20ft above Lake Ponchatrain's water level.
Regardless, this one is a beast. Not only is it strong, it's also extremely wide.
It's another Camille, or Andrew. It's not the one to ride out and have a hurricane party. I feel for the people who can't get out. For those who have the means, but think it's going to be a fun ride and decide to stay, are idiots.
)
A bit more intense 30 miles west of you but we only got 2" of rain and 70mph sustained winds with one gust at 99mph. Like you though, I hunkered down with a project and waited it out. Still pretty windy and I've checked the sewage lift station for the last time tonite---(sniiiiiiff...ahhhh 
