if you live on the Gulf Coast (or near it) and you see a hurricane that FILLS UP THE ENTIRE GULF it’s so damn big…why on earth would you still be there?  One hold-out on Galveston Island says “Most people on the island live on second or third stories, so they don’t have to worry about the water so much.”  I know my math is lacking but a 22-foot storm surge…let’s see…15 feet of stilts + 9 feet (1st floor)…um…24 feet..and that’s IF your house is on pilings or something.  Isn’t that a little CLOSE???  What about the 105 mile per hour winds…and that’s before it strengthens as it’s expected to do before landfall?
For your sake, Mr. IReporter and the other 3.5 million people in the path…I hope there’s a miracle.  I think you’re going to need one.