A review of the operational track, intensity, size and storm surge forecasts on Katrina from the National Hurricane Center will be presented along with some of the tools used in making the forecasts. The coordination and collaboration that took place within the Federal meteorological community and the emergency management community will be examined. Impacts of the United States Weather Research Program's Joint Hurricane Testbed, the real meaning of hurricane watches and warnings, the need to create a culture of preparedness, a proposed national disaster network, and a process to learn from past mistakes will be discussed in the hope of changing the outcome for the better during future hurricane threats.