what none of you seem to be hearing is that the people who "chose" to stay had no "choice". David they had no way out.

Judy, I'm not sure why you directed this at me. I agree many had no way out. I also agree with Kevin, many did, in fact choose to stay. Not just the poor without cars but college students and tourists found themselves trapped. Kevin's argument is equally valid and one need only to see the thousands of cars flooded in the city to see many must have chosen to stay. The mayor could have used the hundreds of scool busses and mass transit busses available to him to transport those who had no other way out.

I'm not sure it is possible to evacuate any large city with just a few days warning.