[Graybeard58]

I'm still trying to figure out why tens of thousands of people wait until the last minute to leave. I understand that there might be some with legitimate reasons for staying so long but not that many.

[PissAndVinegar]

Possibly, like in LA they may not think the hurricane is as powerful as it actually is. They lived through countless others, so they may think Rita isn't any worse.

Add to that the evacuation "RECOMMENDATIONS" and people don't take is seriously.

The state should just accept upfront they will be fined by the FCC and just play on all the airwaves simple direct instructions:

"Get the f**k out now, y'all!!!"

[HairOfTheDog]

I'm still trying to figure out why tens of thousands of people wait until the last minute to leave. I understand that there might be some with legitimate reasons for staying so long but not that many.

I think because it's not till the last minute that you can tell with any certainty where the storm is most likely to hit. Until last night, a friend in Brownsville thought she was going to get hit... now today, it looks like she'll be clear. You can't tell days out where the safest direction to go really is.

Of course, the safest bet is to evacuate years in advance and not be in hurricane country at all ;~D

[Your Nightmare]

I'm still trying to figure out why tens of thousands of people wait until the last minute to leave. I understand that there might be some with legitimate reasons for staying so long but not that many.

It's not the last minute. The storm doesn't hit for 36 hours. The problem is that, because of Katrina, everyone is trying to leave before the last minute.

The roads have been a parking lot for well over 24 hours. On the news just now, they had a lady on the phone who had gotten on highway 290 at 11 o'clock last night and had only traveled ~7 miles.