Get A Grip People: UPDATED

I don't know if this is an entirely new phenomena, but when did we all devolve towards the memory ability of hamsters? CNN moves O'Brien, Cooper to NOLA

In a move that signals how Tropical Storm Isaac threatens to eclipse the Republican convention, CNN has announced that it is sending Soledad O'Brien and Anderson Cooper to New Orleans. The storm, which is bypassing Tampa and on course for the north Gulf Coast (and very possibly New Orleans), could now pose far bigger problems for the Republicans than high winds and waves ever would. There is a very real fear among Republicans that a natural disaster in New Orleans (seven years after Hurricane Katrina) or nearby could all but eclipse the convention -- or, worse, create an unfavorable "split-screen situation" in which images of Hurricane damage are juxtaposed with the theatrics of Mitt Romney's nomination.

Oh, for crying out loud. I know it has been awhile since we have had a hurricane of note make landfall in the United States but this is downright stupid. For starters, Issac has somehow managed to become a media star despite the fact it has not actually become a hurricane. Most forecasts had it gaining enough strength overnight, but it hasn't happen yet.

SUMMARY OF 100 PM CDT...1800 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...26.1N 85.9W ABOUT 255 MI...410 KM SSW OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA ABOUT 280 MI...450 KM SE OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...65 MPH...100 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 305 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...984 MB...29.06 INCHES

Secondly, the idea that this storm could cause the same trouble as Katrina is just laughable. Katrina spent a good part of its life cycle as a Cat 5 storm, though it hit the coast as a more pedestrian Cat 3. Because it had been so strong the storm surge piled up ahead of it to the tune of 26+ feet. To put this in perspective the National Hurricane Center puts the possibility of even a 10 foot storm surge in New Orleans at under 5%. (The most likely upper end is around the 4 foot level.) All indications are Issac is going to be a pretty wet event and the dangers of flooding in low lying areas, including New Orleans, will always be with us when these kinds of rainmakers come ashore. However, there is no indication there is a major natural disaster brewing in the Gulf.

One wonder if there is some "wishful" thinking going on at CNN.

UPDATE:

4PM CDT advisory:

SUMMARY OF 400 PM CDT...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...26.4N 86.2W
ABOUT 320 MI...515 KM SSE OF MOBILE ALABAMA
ABOUT 255 MI...415 KM SE OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH...110 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 305 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...981 MB...28.97 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY...

THE HURRICANE WARNING FROM THE FLORIDA-ALABAMA BORDER TO DESTIN HAS
BEEN CHANGED TO A TROPICAL STORM WARNING.

 Still not a hurricane and they are downgrading some of the warnings.

Yep, sounds like the apocalypse to me.