the New Orleans Mayor has recently suspended the reopening of the city pending more on what Rita will do. Texas still seems to be the prime target, but if the models miss they tend to underestimate turns to the north and east which means New Orleans is still at risk. Hurricanes normally eventually go northeast, but determining when isn't easy.

Galveston, Texas which was literally wiped out by a hurricane over a century ago is very much in the target area for Rita although at least this time they will have a warning that they didn't have then.