Given the current administration's gutting of FEMA, we can only hope that residents and local government recognize their responsibility to prepare for each hurricane's potential impact, to have a well-thought-out plan, and to execute the plan with consideration for helping others as situations allow.

While I agree that it is safest to evacuate ahead of an impending, potentially catastrophic event if not confident in your pre-storm planning and ability to execute, I have safely and effectively sheltered in place during multiple hurricanes and several wildfires after evacuating family members and poorly prepared neighbors. Granted, if a massive Cat 4 or 5 is zeroing in, I will leave. In Cat 3 and lesser hurricanes I will stay. Over the years of living near the coast in east central Florida, if I had evacuated, severe water intrusion would've flooding my home and also would've sunk several sailboats.

While never personally experiencing looting, I have witnessed how disasters attract career criminals to come out of the woodwork and reported to authorities. I have helped out others when able- most who need help appreciate anything you do to mitigate the misery of a disaster.