People who stay won't be assisting the fire dep't in anything. They will be asking to be rescued. They're a drain on rescue efforts.
I just can't understand why people stay. The most helpful thing to do is to load up your vehicle (the biggest one you have) with people who don't have a way out themselves (particularly the sick and elderly), and head for the nearest safe place.
What if the chances of Rita weakening to about 75-95 mph by the time it gets to your town is 50/50? What would you do in this case? It's not like he or she is in Galveston? In which case, I'd also jump on the band wagon and tell this freeper to get the heck out no matter who needs them.
Some here seem to be quick to judge.
I live in the path of Rita and am staying because the local VFD asked me to help them with the aftermath. The VFD has 15 members and does a very good job of fighting fires and responding to traffic accidents.
After Rita passes, there will be thousands of homes to be checked for people in need of help. I am not a trained fire fighter but I can help by going door to door and check on people.
I could leave and think only of myself and the few people I could take with me, but I think I can do more good by staying and helping any way I can.
I guess you have no idea how a small community operates.