Only hours before the Anniversary Date of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and surrounding areas and much of Louisiana are in apprehensive modes, courtesy of Gustav. 

While commemorative events are planned for the Katrina three-year anniversary, and while the Katrina memories are still so very raw, it is time to look forward to the threat and not back at the past, unless Gustav turns goes in another direction.  Right now, based upon the National Hurricane Center, the storm which is expected to be a dangerous hurricane and is eyeing smack at New Orleans.

If it continues on its present projection, it could hit Louisiana at an approximate time and within days post three years after Katrina struck in 2005.

Already, Governor Jindal has declared a state of emergency, evacuations are being considered, contraflows are being discussed, a Presidential declaration is being requested, some members of the National Guard are being activated. 

Mayor Nagin has announced he is leaving the Democratic Convention and is returning to New Orleans to monitor the storm. 

Over the past now-almost three years, New Orleans has dodged the bullet which has allowed it to begin a comeback at a time when many throughout the country had given up on it after seeing over 80 percent of the city and much of the surrounding parishes under water.

Now, the focus is not on work, play or memories, but, making plans.

Governor Jindal has been urging that families “make a plan”  in case the big one were to arrive, again.  Meanwhile, local, state and national governments have been working hard trying to repair, rebuild and be prepared.

It could be a matter of days before we know if  the anxiety normally associated with the Katrina anniversary could be a panic associated with a probable hurricane called Gustav.

It could also be a real test to see if the government and Louisiana citizens, already shell-shocked trying to recover from one of the worst tragedies on American soil will have to go through disaster mode, yet again.