After watching canes for 20+ years you do get that feeling that this bombing out based on all available sat data.
But, without dropsondes I do agree that you can’t verify.
One more wobble north and Ida will steamroll into New Orleans. The NW track seems to have the eye wall 5-10 miles to the west.
Also, looks beautiful right now.
Been 16 years since Katrina. Sea level has risen ~3 inches since then. You need less surge each year and there is more water around. 3 inches might not sound like much, but it does make a difference.