Katrina coverage in Cleveland

Watching the news last night i was given the impression by our ever so journalistic nightly news team that if you lived in or anywhere near new orleans, you "would surely die" if you remained in the vacinity of Katrina's fury. Hearing these horrific proclamations, i called a friend who's recently moved to this very city. And the report from him....a little less sensational....excuse me....A LOT less sensational than the news...was that the wind was picking up, but otherwise, hardly life-threatening. To be fair, i have not heard a report of the final outcome, but my point, nonetheless, wiggles its finger at our media coverage and says tsk tsk. Are ratings so bad that we need to stoop to putting fear in people's minds concerning severe weather? It's so silly? This is why i hardly ever watch the news on tv. i just want facts, let me decide, based on these facts, whether or not my friends' lives are in danger thank you very much!