I'll start by saying that all the "stuff" you have isn't worth losing your life over. So it would seem that people would heed warnings to evacuate when danger was imminent all things being equal. BUT, I think there are contributing factors as to why they stay. I think one of them is the sensational predictions and TV news accounts leading up to the event. While some of this is providing a public service it seems it's quite a ratings bonanza for the media. A "sky is falling mentality" everytime a cloud is on the horizon. A reporter is standing on the beach reporting on clouds in the distance. People have tuned them out. Many storms never develop or make landfall where predicted so people just go on with their daily lives.

The second thought and the one I wanted to get some feedback has to do with the threat of looting. It seems that some degreee of looting is inevitable just as the sun rising in the morning. I think more people would evacuate IF they were allowed to return to their homes sooner after the strom passes. It seems to me the looters have free rein after the storm because you are not there to protect or even watch over your property. Looters are after easy pickings and nothing is easier than an unguarded or uninhabited residence. Seems like police and other "security" forces are better deployed elsewhere (and probably are) than trying to protect property.

Personally I would be less likely to evacuate, not because I didn't believe the storm threat, but because once I left I would not be able to return to my home as soon as I would like.

Not trying to start any arguments here or be critical of anyone's decision in this situation but just curious as to how others see this.

Thanks

(And to all those impacted and digging out from Sandy / NO DISRESPECT INTENDED / praying for a quick and sustained recovery)

 

i don't know about that. the police are very much on top of the looting problem. at least here in my town.
in the past week, they have arrested and locked up over 50 looters.
most of them are out of towners looking for easy pickings, but about 10 of them are the local druggies. one of them was so stoned he helped his "friends" break into his own house.

they are all in the county lockup with a 3 week wait for a court date and no bail.

 

They are probably fortunate that the police caught them first.

 

I would just board all my ground level windows and doors up, these people will move on to the easy in and out houses before one that actually requires more than minimal effort to break in.