Hey Jay,

Just a couple of quibbles with your post.

I think a lot of folks stayed because they have been through these evacuations before, and the damage turned out to be not as severe as was feared.  Many of those that did evacuate in earlier warning came home to only find vandal damage.  I would think that a few thousand National Guardsmen sent out to patrol the streets when an evacuation is called for would encourage more to leave as they would feel more secure that someone was watching their neighborhood.

I think the media has brought a vast amount of water, food, transportation, etc., to the people of the area by putting the stories and images of the devastation in our faces 24/7.  This continuous coverage has encouraged people across the country to open their wallets and cities to the victims. 

Regardless, this is not the time to argue about who is to blame.  As Jarrod pointed out, now is the time to assist these folks in any way we can.  Assessing responsibility can wait for a later day.