If I'm reading this map right, New Orleans is going to get a 15ft storm surge

[phantom power]

[bbinacan]

1. Looks to me like 12-15 feet. n/t

[stray cat]

2. 12-15 feet as of 4 pm prediections

[Skink]

3. Good thing they replaced those levees.

[Speck Tater]

4. Quoting Dr. Jeff Master from the Weather Underground site...

Gustav's storm surge is not likely to breach the New Orleans levees--if they perform as designed

Gustav is a very large storm. Like Katrina, Gustav may carry a larger storm surge to the coast than its wind speeds might suggest. Currently, Gustav's diameter of tropical storm force winds is 340 miles. By landfall, this number is forecast to increase to 360 miles, which would make Gustav 80% as large as Katrina was at landfall. NHC's current storm surge forecast calls for a storm surge of 10-14 feet to the right of where the center of Gustav comes ashore. The latest computer generated storm surge map shows that highest surge will be along the levee system along the east side of New Orleans. Storm surge levels of this magnitude are characteristic of a Category 3 hurricane. The levee system of New Orleans is designed to withstand a Category 3 storm surge. If Gustav intensifies more than the NHC forecast is calling for, there is a significant threat of multiple levee failures in the New Orleans levee system resulting in flooding of portions of the city. However, the latest 12Z (8 am EDT) model runs have shifted their landfall points a bit further west, reducing the odds of a Category 4 storm surge in New Orleans. My best guess is that New Orleans will suffer a Category 2 or 3-level storm surge. The levees will hold with that level of storm surge, if they perform as designed.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/show.html

[Dead_Parrot]

5. That's a big if, though

Glad I'm not on the inside of them.

[XemaSab]

6. According to Nagin, NO is protected

up to 10 feet. :o