[BigSkyFreeper]

No. In fact, just because you said that, I am going to make it my mission to spread the confirmed fact that Katrina made landfall as a Cat-5.

Actually it did make landfall as a Cat-4. Joe Kosek, accuweather.com Senior Meterologist told Shep tonight on the Fox Report, because Shep asked Joe if there was a possibility Rita could weaken before it made landfall, and Joe explained to him that's what happend to Katrina, even though it still raised havoc on the Gulf Coast.

As many hurricane experts would tell you, it's not the hurricane that causes the most damage, it's the storm surge.

[Lazamataz]

I know. But two things: One, we're talking about 5's that make landfall (as whatever). And two, Kozak is so easily provoked that I couldn't resist.

Besides, he LIES about TIMESTAMPS. ;^)

[ekwd]

Cat 4 or 5, whatever! Katrina hammered Hattiesburg, MS 60 miles inland and the best I can tell is that it was still a hurricane when it reached I-20.

Hurricane Opal in 1995 was a "weak Category 3" at landfall and it knocked down thousands and thousands of trees (more than 7000 in Opelika, AL alone according to the NHC history page) more than 200 miles inland. I passed through the Talladega National Forest east of Birmingham in October, 1997. Two years after Opal hit it still reminded me of the damage I saw in Wilmington, NC by Fran less than a week after it hit in 1996.

Even if you are well inland, take this one seriously folks.