Here in New Orleans we are below sea level. A hurricane like this could leave us under 10-18 feet of water and they estimate it will take weeks to get the pumps running and empty the city out. There will be nothing left. (Since we are under sea level, we having pumping stations and canals that pump the water to the lake...water cannot run off in our city). I will NEVER stay in the city and ride out a bad hurricane. Though the last one we evacuated for, Georges, left us in the path of the storm anyway...but at least not underwater. I will still take hurricanes over tornadoes..at least we have warning.
My prayers go out to those who suffered. Sounds like some of the people who died were in mobile homes and refused to evacuate. Pretty ignorant.