This has probably been posted several times in the past 24 hours, but in case it hasn't this is a fascinating article that I found online several years ago and bookmarked (little did I know that our current setup would so closely resemble the article).

http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/wetlands/hurricane_print.html

For those interested, here is a second excellent article: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BJK/is_15_11/ai_68642805

I am appalled at La emergency management and the reports of what a few of the N.O. mets are saying. Of course you can't incite the public into a panic, but folks need to face the grave reality of this situation. I'm getting the impression that John Q. Public in New Orleans (who isn't an avid weather watcher like those of us here) may not realize exactly the potential of what he is facing. It takes 72 hours to evacuate the city of New Orleans... we are approximately 48 hours from a time when it would become very very dangerous to attempt to evacuate. If Katrina does follow the current NHC path and strike N.O., I think the government officials in La would have blood in their hands and should face impeachment. I understand not wanted to incite a panic, but as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

I feel like I'm sitting at an intersection watching a car crash about to occur.