There is still some concern there could be a little bit of additional strengthening, and then as it approaches the coast pretty much maintain a steady level at the Category 2 or 3 threshold.

The real important issue here is that when it got to the metropolitan area, it was weaker, ... They were fortunate in that they were on the west side and the winds may not have been quite strong enough to top the levees.

The real important issue here is that when it got to the metropolitan area, it was weaker. They were fortunate in that they were on the west side and the winds may not have been quite strong enough to top the levees.

I think it has probably reached its maximum intensity now.

We need to build a little bit of a buffer knowing that the storm probably won't be exactly where we forecast it to be -- it might be a little bit on one side or another.

If it came ashore with the intensity it has now and went to the New Orleans area, it would be the strongest we've had in recorded history there,