Well, in my opinion, it's harder to have sympathy if they were warned repeatedly to get the &%$* out. I have seen many raging fires in Southern California, and when told to get out, most do, with little hesitation, even if they have to walk out. And many times they are given less warning that this event. Sometimes they only have a matter of two or three hours or so.
Those that choose to stay behind to fight off the fires, knowingly do so at their own risk. I can't really blame them. It's an individuals choice, and they know the risks.
What I don't understand here, is there was no real chance of "fighting" this hurricane. So I cannot see very good reasons for staying put.
There were many who could not get out. House bound, fearful elderly with no family. The mentally ill, those paralyzed by fear, those who don't own a car, the uninsured terrified to leave all their possessions to uncertainty. Those who had to stay behind for jobs.
There are a million reasons why some people did not leave. At this point, blame is futile and compassion for their situation is warrented.