The year 1992 was one of low hurricane activity. Your chances of not getting hit by a hurricane were very good. But 1992 brought Andrew to south Florida. Last year's evacuation left thousands trapped on highways and crowded into shelters. But when the storm is big enough, evacuation is not optional.
Precision is important.
It saves lives and dollars. The more precise the warnings, the less expensive. What's key now, Smith said, is cooperation between local officials so smarter evacuation decisions can be made. The other issue, Smith said, is the continued buildup of population and structures along the coast. As long as the buildup continues, the risks for individuals continue to climb, the evacuation lines get longer and the cleanup gets more expensive.