[topher]

In 1969, people did not evacuate before Hurricane Camille made landfall in Mississippi. From what I remember, anything along the beach at landfall was literally wiped out for about 200 feet (or maybe yards) inland.

Many people who stayed they never found a trace of -- just wasted out to sea as shark food or fish food.

Hurricane Camille would be considered a Category 5 storm.

It had sustained winds (not gusts) of 200 mph.

That was one reason there was nothing left on the beach front.

I imagine the other was the storm surge (which they probably did not know how to predict then).

People were told they must evacuate...

[gracesdad]

The Richelieu Apartments were indeed destroyed in Camille and something like 8 of the 23 people who were there died. However, the survivors who have been interviewed say they were not having a party.

[Romulus]

In 1969, people did not evacuate before Hurricane Camille

Yes, they did. My grandmother was one of them. Her house, about 200 ft. from the beach, was badly damaged, but survived. Katrina got it.