It's because the main stream media, particulalry in the NYC area, over-hypes every weather hiccup, so that when the big storm really does bear down on the area, the people shrug their shoulders and yawn.
well, we in Louisiana deal with this alot. We have never evacuated. It is harder than you can imagine to leave your home, your history, all you have. Somehow you want to be there to protect it as best you can. And given the large population affected, few die. Even Katrina, there were relatively few deaths considering the sheer number of people affected. The aftermath is horrible but I feel better about being in my place ready to protect it than veing in a shelter not knowing.
I guess you have to be there.