I do feel bad for those who are trapped after the storm, but.....

[a la izquierda]

16. I lived in Oklahoma for a long time while doing my PhD.

Evacuating for a hurricane was obviously never required, but if I knew a tornado was coming (which happened a bit), where could I go? I had three dogs and there was only one small tornado shelter that took pets. I rode out two potential F-5s in my office closet with three dogs. My husband had hunkered down in the bathtub, knowing that we may not survive if in fact an F-5 hit us (it turned away from us, fortunately). But I wasn't leaving my dogs.
I realize this isn't the same thing and I see your point about risking the lives of first responders. But many simply can't leave because of health, $$, animals, etc.