It's been three years since Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc along the Gulf Coast. Now, nervous residents are closely watching another storm.

Forecasters warn that Gustav has the potential to grow into a perilous Category 3 hurricane and approach the Gulf Coast by Monday morning. But they caution it's too early to predict the storm's track and intensity.

In New Orleans, city officials aren't taking any chances. They're drawing blueprints of how to evacuate the city if necessary. New Orleans plans to institute a mandatory evacuation order should a Category 3 or stronger hurricane be within 72 hours of the city.

At a suburban store, employees says portable generators, gasoline cans, bottled water and batteries are selling briskly.

Since Katrina, billions of dollars have been spent to improve the levee system.

Experts say the city and surrounding region are safer from hurricanes, but they say the improved levee protection is incomplete and holes remain.