Prayer and plywood now stand between us and the greatest threat to South Mississippi from a hurricane since Camille.

But unlike Camille, the slow approach of Katrina has provided us with time to prepare or flee. For that, we can be truly thankful.

By now, there is little if any opportunity left for preparations. Evacuation is all but out of the question.

Those who have chosen to remain are expected to experience one of the greatest furies that nature can unleash.

The storm is almost certain to change the face of South Mississippi forever.

But our communities have experienced such devastation before. Camille also forever altered many of our lives and much of our landscape.

Enduring such a calamity is part of our collective heritage. Whatever challenges Katrina presents us, we are confident that they too will be met with similar resolve.

as anyone about what this day may bring. But we have no doubt that, with time, whatever can be done will be done to restore our way of life.

Until then, may all the plywood hold.

And may all our prayers be answered.