When a storm is 7 days away it is just too hard to make any firm calls regarding its eventual landfall location.
Yes, I fully agree that vigilence is important, however I can also tell you that living on the edge of fear of every storm heading your way can be nerve wracking. The 2004 & 2005 storm years were tough, 2006 was worrisome too.
Don't get me wrong - I am not saying that people shouldn't be prepared, I'm just saying that we can't start sweating bullets everytime there is a tropical wave on the horizon.
The hurricane season runs for 6 months a year - every year - anybody that isn't prepared (as well as you can be) and doesn't have some money socked away in case of evacuation is foolish.