It is fortunate that the dam did not fail at that time.
I was watching the evacuation and could not believe the escape route was a bridge over the feather river, the river that that flood would follow. I saw a line of cars barely moving over that bridge.
If the dam had failed as warned (within the hour) thousands would have died trapped in their cars.
While the government has most blame for the chaos of the evacuation, those living in the area share the blame.
I actually saw a line at a gas station as people lined up to get gas. I could not believe how many people living in the shadow of a disaster would not keep their car topped off.
Personally I would have self evacuated when the water topped the emergency spillway. The people of Oroville were very lucky.
Citizens that wait to take action until told to do so by “Authorities” are doomed to live in chaos.