That's one of the problems, isn't it? The longer Katrina maintains this intensity or even winds up an mb or two, the higher her base level when she does start to come down from her peak. It is very, very hard to see how she can be anything except a 4 or 5 when she landfalls.

Another, post-landfall, problem is that with her size and intensity causing so much regional destruction...even well inland, it will impede relief getting to New Orleans if NO does take a direct impact. I would have to think that the feds may need to consider parking a naval group in the northern gulf after Katrina comes through to support the relief effort. Last I knew, the Bataan group was in the Antilles a week ago.