Are you positive he's staying in a hotel? And even if he is, how much electricity can they possibly have after 5 days? Generators only last so long on gasoline---which is in short supply down there. As is running water. As for walking out of the city of New Orleans. Just how far would you make it each day with no food, no water, in temperatures in the 90's with high humidity, with the elderly and small children? On an iterstate with no shade. I'd like to see all the critics here try.
Shep pointed across the river from whence he arrived, at lights burning.
The power is not out everywhere south of the Mason Dixon line you know.
Across the river down the same highway shep drove in on there are lights, running water, and empth schools to sleep in.