Despite fears that a hurricane striking three years after Katrina ravaged New Orleans and the venue in which the Saints play their home games, the Superdome reportedly is in “good shape” after Gustav.

“We’ve got some exterior signs ripped and things like that, downed fences and light poles blown over, but nothing major, nothing structural or nothing that would affect the interior condition of the building,” said Doug Thornton, vice president of the company that manages the Superdome, told the Associated Press.

Whether the Saints can host the Buccaneers on Sunday remains to be seen, and will be determined based on when citizens are permitted to return to New Orleans and when food and beverages that would be sold during the game can be restocked.

“Just based on my gut right now, all of it looks pretty positive,” Thornton said.  “But again, we don’t have a full report on damage out in the community and how long it may take to restore power and all those things that may influence the decision.”

“We are continuing to monitor the situation in close coordination with the Saints,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the AP.  “Our focus today is on the brave people of the Gulf Coast.  We have great admiration for them and for the public safety and emergency personnel who are tirelessly working to protect lives and property in that region.  We will make an announcement at the appropriate time about the status of the Saints’ game scheduled for Sunday in the Superdome.”

If the Superdome can’t host the game, it could be moved to Tampa, with the Bucs visiting New Orleans on November 30, when the two teams currently are scheduled to meet in Florida.