Lingering Katrina News & Ophelia

We had a lively conversation over on the WeatherMatrix boards over the past few days regarding whether or not Katrina will go down in history as a Category 4 or Category 5 storm. You may wish to read it or even participate (make sure you have setup an account via the "Register" button first).

The point is probably moot, the government generally does not reconsider classifications after the fact, especially based on Damage. They did reclassify Hurricane Andrew last year, based, I believe, on mathematical recalculations of surface windspeeds from reconnaissance aircraft.

SATELLITE SHOT FROM GRAND ISLE, LA 8/31/05

In other news, FEMA has declared 19 states, as far away as Washington State, as Federal Disaster Areas because of Hurricane Katrina evacuees. CNN reports that Congress has approved another $51.8 billion in Katrina relief. Water is receding in New Orleans but only 21% of the pumps are working. The storm could cost $185 billion all-told and NASA has reported their Florida losses at $1 billion.

By the way, if you want to play the blame game, check out the Katrina facts over at FactCheck.Org.

And finally, who got too close to the storm this time (besides the guy who took the incredible video we showed you)? Check out this note on LostRemote regarding the totalling of CNN's "Hurricane One" SUV.

As for Ophelia, she's back to Hurricane status again, moving away from land now, but we expect her to do a loop and threaten the South Carolina/Georgia coaast early next week.