No you don't understand her answer went something like this:
Shep: Where should the folks at exit 235 on such and such road go?
Official: Yes, we are evacuating people.
It was a total non-sequitur.
She could have said I am not sure however I will get some info to you shortly, or whatever. She had front-line Intel of hundreds of people in need including several in dire medical need and she didn't answer the question or take steps to do anything. She looked like she was totally lost.
This is exactly what you do not need in a time like this.
If you can not adapt to the situation you are in then you should not be in charge!
But absolutely, I agree your response would have been far better than hers. I'm cutting her some slack; she's just been through Katrina. Have no idea if she's had any rest at all. She's probably hanging on to her focus by mere strips, and mere rote operation.