Further, many of these locations had barrier islands with a few bridges to the mainland. In an emergency, rapid evacuation from such is REALLY a problem.
That's right. Now, if we were talking hours, then I think there would've been time. But 50 minutes in a panic situation is not alot of time IMHO. Yes sure, there definitely would've been less loss of life even with a 50 min warning. But how much less, I dunno.