Hurricane Katrina, which intensified throughout the day Thursday, shut down MTV's run-up to Sunday's Video Music Awards, forcing the cancellation of dozens of outdoor concerts, poolside cocktail parties and promo events. Heavy rains and high winds also prompted the revocation of all location shooting permits, starting the removal of tents, elaborate outdoor sets and camera positions as the precipitation fell harder. Sunday's VMA show, live from the city's waterfront American Airlines Arena for the second consecutive year, was again planned with a heavy outdoor component, featuring stars making their red carpet arrivals by yacht and helicopter.

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