A tropical wave has been passing across Central Florida today and is headed west out over Gulf waters. If it intensifies as predicted, it will become Tropical Depression Ten on Thursday and Tropical Storm Jerry by Thursday night.
More on the flip...
The GFDL model forecasts intensification to a Category 1 hurricane, while the SHIPS model predicts no intensification past tropical storm. Wind shear has decreased markedly in the past 24 hours over the eastern Gulf, so rapid intensification is possible. Rainfall at 1-1/2 inches per hour can be expected. Most tracking models (click on "Storm 93") take the storm right across New Orleans.
While a Category 1 storm is generally just a branch-breaker, obviously it is prudent to take simple safety measures, especially if you live in low-lying areas near water. This one is forming so close that there's going to be little advance warning from the NHC.