WHAT!
The Category 4 or 5 is sitting off the coast and this guy starts asking questions a day and a half before it hits as to whether he can force an evacuation?
act first -- ask for forgiveness later. Should have been the mayor's philosophy.
City of New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan http://www.cityofno.com/SystemModules/PrintPage.aspx?portal=46&tabid=26
A. Evacuation Time Requirements
Using information developed as part of the Southeast Louisiana Hurricane Task Force and other research, the City of New Orleans has established a maximum acceptable hurricane evacuation time standard for a Category 3 storm event of 72 hours. This is based on clearance time or is the time required to clear all vehicles evacuating in response to a hurricane situation from area roadways. Clearance time begins when the first evacuating vehicle enters the road network and ends when the last evacuating vehicle reaches its destination.