I have definitely gotten the opinion that in Shep's mind, the fact that his high-priced hotel in the French Quarter wasn't ruined, that is enough evidence that it "wasn't that bad!"....sheesh!
Actually, his little state of denial started early that AM, before dawn broke, when he said he had been listening to the local newscasters and the storm had jogged a bit and the eyewal was ragged on the NO side.
I really think all his "positive" talk was a way of self-coping. But not a good thing for a reporter to do.
He seemed really scared the night before.