Greetings from my new summer getaway, Daphne, Ala., on the eastern edge of Mobile Bay.

Tribune photographer Colin Hackley and I arrived here about 8 p.m. after getting our marching orders this afternoon. We are in the same hotel that served as our home base for Hurricane Dennis in early July. By all indications, Dennis will be a mild breeze compared to Katrina.

The phrase “Category 5” has certainly upped the stakes. Everyone from newspaper assignment editors to the Weather Channel beach broadcasters have been ratcheting up the hysteria level. Happy to be able to contribute.

I have very fond memories of New Orleans. I was there in 1997 when my beloved Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl there. (OK, I have somewhat foggy memories of New Orleans.) I wasn’t able to get into the Superdome, but the streets of the city were alive and electric. It’s hard to picture them under water. I understand the Superdome is now a giant hurricane shelter.

I was a relative newcomer to Florida when Hurricane Andrew, the last Category 5, hit South Florida in 1992. In fact, I was at the Lollapalooza Festival in Orlando as the storm approached. The Pearl Jam and Soundgarden and Red Hot Chili Peppers fans were extremely blase about the impending disaster. Then a guy announced from the stage that I-95 south to Miami was closed. People sobered up fast when they realized that about half of the festival-goers would not be returning home that night. I gave up my hotel room and left early to get back to the Tampa area at a decent hour. I missed a huge chunk of the Chili Peppers show. Damn these hurricanes.