Well for one,people treasure their homes. Secondly,they could be afraid of looters breaking in and stealing their worldly goods. Third,a lot of people simply don't believe media hype.Then there's the possibility they simply have no where else to go.Personally,I can stand the idea of having to go to a shelter and sleep on the floor or get servings of mystery foods.The other big reason could just be pets.

Why do people evacuate is a better question.

Except for isolated events in specific, small areas, mass evacuation is a fairly recent innovation.

It's basically an admission by the government that despite all the fancy sounding agencies and combat-ready law enforcement departments they are unable to protect private citizens and property in real emergencies.

Some people, especially the young, simply do not believe they could die.

And, there are many who don't know where to go, maybe can't afford a hotel, are hesitant to disrupt their daily lives. I think elderly people have trouble making a decision, sometimes.

1st off its very expensive, alot of people dont have an automobile in top shape, money for gas and motels etc. 2cnd alot of people don't want their homes broken into. And lastly for all the hurricanes that I have lived thru in my 52 years the only one that I wish I had left for was Katrina. The rest were some wind and water with the power out for a couple of days tops.

"So, why did they do it?"

Because they are Democrats?

I have been through Carla, Elisha, and Ike, plus countless cat 1 hurricanes and tropical storms. I stayed home during each of these storms. It was not dangerous if you followed basic safety protocol. (flashlights, stay away from windows, spam in a can, battery powered radio... etc.)

When I looked at maps showing the massive scope of this storm, my only question was, Evacuate?WHERE to? We're talking about millions of people in the path of this storm. Just where are they supposed to go?

For some, not all, but for some, we call it 'culling of the herd.' Here in CT, they just said on the local news they will start searching for the body of a swimmer who was seen entering and paddling off into LI Sound at 8pm last night. That was during the height of the storm surge and high tide, with driving winds and rain. Must've had a death wish. But we were glad to hear that many of the emergency shelters are now accepting pets.

..make any excuse you like tempt Mother Nature you loose..

..the answer is simple and I heard it during Katrina..

""Some folks are stuck on stupid""

..see how contagious their`er sickness is looks like I need help..

..it was Rita not Katrina..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv5m4hTMuWU

Once you leave the government will not let you back in.

I would think the main reason is not knowing when you can go home again. New Orleans residents couldn't return home for a long time, whether their area was hurt or not. Plus, the weather channel and MSM do get over-excited over wind and rain. If I lived in a coastal area, yeah, I'd leave home. Otherwise, unless your area is flood prone, you're as safe at home as anywhere else. I've been through several hurricanes - frankly I enjoyed the stormyness. (I know, no such word)

Because, even after 4 years of lies and promises, they still believe that their Messiah, Obama, will lower the oceans as promised.

Boy are they in for a suprise. Most of us have found out what a liar he is!!!!

Art

There are pros and cons, but my nightmare would be stuck on a stalled freeway in an endless traffic jam. I would rather take my chances at home…unless, of course, I lived in a flood zone…..or below sea level! But I have tried, and so far succeeded, not to do either of those.

I have been in both hurricanes and typhoons. I have access to all the same weather information as do the politicians, and I feel better qualified to make decisions affecting my safety than some stupid politician whose s decision is made to protect himself politically or legally.

Expounding on #14, I believe there is a 'boy who cried wolf' factor involved. When everything the media tells us a is disaster, and we see nothing in real life, credibility falls to nothing.

#16 my nightmare would be stuck on a stalled freeway in an endless traffic jam

In an electric car.

Great comments. Thanks.

It's simple, with gas at $4 per gallon, nobody can afford to evacuate. It's cheaper to stay put and meet your fate. Just another consequence of having a degenerate president.

Dr. Ablow makes a larger point. Social media addicts are living a pseudo-life as "experienced" through YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. Risk-takers may ask "Will this be You-Tube worthy?"

Most of us are content with real human contact and conversation. Nothing replaces looking into someones eyes and having a meaningful conversation. Now, even telephone conversations are passe. Teens sitting at the same table will text rather than talk. If this is your worldview, you may be divorced from reality.

R.I.P. personal relations.

The 'Posts' - Wow - Many points mentioned,

all touch a sore or reality point.

thank y'all.

Still a few sun rises in this cats future, with each new sun rise I give thanks no matter our current surroundings.

The very basic evacuation should be from the beach/waterfront. Also, any place below sea level - you know you are going to flood out - what ever possessions you have will be ruined anyway. Those nuts in NJ should have left the Barrier Island for sure - just get somewhere that may be drier because you know you are getting wiped out in the low lying places.

I live far from hurricane areas so I found these comments very enlightening. It's easy to wonder why people don't evacuate, but I can see it' easier said than done.

It's simple - people just don't trust government any more. You have nannies like Bloomberg who cry wolf so often they have lost all credibility. Lack of honesty and "gravitas" have consequences!

Many people are so sick and tired of unneeded interventions by national and local government employees, that they prefer to go it alone.

"...they prefer to go it alone."

Ah, but they don't always. If things get beyond their imaginary control, if they find they can no longer cope, someone has to save them - from themselves and their foolish hubris.

Lots of reasons. Most of them covered here. Some of these people are old, infirm, sick,unable to move, lack resources. They don't know where to go. What to expect or what to pack. They don't have cars, money or means. Simply telling them to get out does no good. They can't if they wanted to. They need help. They need to be recused.
Kayaking, swimming, hurricane parties are a different matter.

#17 is right. Make your own decisions. Sometimes you will be wrong.

As for the rescuers you are said to endanger.. They make their own decisions too on every rescue attempt and on every day when nothing happens. If they don't want the job they should quit.