Ophelia has been stalled, frustratingly, just off the coast of the Carolinas. Without knowing which way it might move today, forecasters are hesitant to guess -- or to rule much of the coastline out of danger.

Ophelia doesn't look like a major storm. But, then, a few weeks ago, neither did Hurricane Katrina.

In all likelihood, Ophelia will produce some rain well north of the Charlotte area. It might even veer out to sea and dissipate without causing any damage. And that would have elicited a ho-hum attitude on the part of most coastal residents -- before Katrina.

Now, Ophelia makes us nervous.

Perhaps the sad fact is that it takes a bad hurricane season like last year's, a bad storm such as Katrina to keep us alert to the potential hazards. We can't afford to take the weather for granted. If we are going to live in or near hurricane alley, we have to consider the possible consequences.

As noted, complacency doesn't cut it.