Galveston

[gsgs]

I read that 20000 had stayed in Galveston during Ike,
despite mandatory evacuation orders and strong urging
to leave in the media.
Is there so much distrust in the authorities ? Why ?
Are they being charged now ? I read that there is an
order that nobody may leave Galveston uncontrolled,
why is it ?

[alicia83]

Revised report is about 14,000 remained in Galveston according to the mayor after the storm. No one is permitted onto the island except for emergency and first responder teams, Fema, trucks bringing in supplies from the Red Cross, Salvation Army. Island is without power and water, and it will take time to get the infrastructure back up and running. Buses have arrived to evacuate residents still on the island who want to leave. As for entry into the island, yesterday south I-45 was blocked by large yachts which had washed up from West Bay. One lane has been cleared for emergency vehicles.

Keeping the island's residents who evacuated from coming back in frees lanes on the freeway for much needed emergency support for those who are there.

Anyone who wanted or wants to leave the island can do so by whatever means in addition to the buses.

People can't be charged for not leaving their homes. If they want to stay they do so at their own peril, and then of course to the peril of first responders as rescues are necessary.

[gsgs]

thanks. Maybe I confused the directions.
So, it wasn't really mandatory to leave Galveston,
just strongly recommended and at own risk - no help

[alicia83]

No, there was a mandatory evacuation in Galveston county, along with others. People will not be charged with anything for not heeding evacuation orders.

[NC George]

No, there was a mandatory evacuation in Galveston county, along with others. People will not be charged with anything for not heeding evacuation orders.

Mandatory evacuation doesn't mean what you think. Mandatory means the government is advising you, in the strongest way it can that you should leave. However, as long as you stay on your property, you can stay. In America, you have the right to stay on your own property for as long as you like, if you are willing to take the consequences (which include the possibility of death, or being totally on your own for days or weeks with no food, water, gas, electricity or medical care.) If you leave your property, though, they may keep you from returning for an indefinite period of time.

[gsgs]

they might change that a bit for hurricanes

[flounder_gig]

they might change that a bit for hurricanes

who change what?

[alicia83]

NCgeorge, I have no misconceptions about what mandatory evacuation means, and was responding to gsgs.

Yep, americans have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness or disaster.