I think you're being a bit premature. If I can read the weather charts at all correctly, nearly all of western LA has just been HAMMERED by Rita, much as Katrina totally hammered MS and AL (but the OldMedia didn't cover).
TX, especially coastal TX, seems fine, but just you wait until you hear the stories out of LA before getting too optimistic about this.
you are correct..FR will be hours ahead of the old media as far as damage reports right now all the big three cable news networks are showing the shots from the air of galveston...they didn;t even have 70 MPH as far as I know, big deal might as well cover a thunderstorm in the midwest..WHAT is going on in southern LA and NO is the key
When Charley came through Florida last year, the areas south of me were very heavily damaged, especially Charlotte County (Punta Gorda). I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see similarly damaged areas in W. Louisiana as more media gets into the area.
Fox showing shots of Port Arthur now. Looking quite similar to areas around Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda last year, thought the flooding appears to be more significant.