I realize that - but i thought I read into your post that you felt the same end result - weakening - might occur with Katrina, which looks to have a probability of ziltch.

For me, the best reference is... well, I don't have one. I've seen super storms out in the GOM like this, but they have always weakened before landfall (I was born in 1972 - my boss lived through Camille though).

ETA quote from Jim Cantore: "What you see on the Mississippi Coast waking up this morning... on Tuesday morning, you won't see it." Something like that anyway. It's true, too. I had reservations next weekend in Biloxi, too - guess I had better find a new form of entertainment.

Seriously - I just keep shaking my head. This is unbelievable.

ETA: CNN says the Superdome will be opened as a shelter. The Superdome is safe? Or are they just that desperate?

ETA: Question for METs: Why has the NHC not gone to 2 hour updates? Is it because of the distance of Katrina from shore and the fact that it is not visible on radar yet? The storm appears to be strengthening so fast, more frequent updates may be warranted.