@SandHillThicket Run from the water; hide from the wind is the "rule."
The elevation is more important than distance from the coast, although 30 miles doesn't seem that far if it is flat.
Rainfall accumulation and proximity to creeks, bayou, rivers is a factor that hit Houston hard with Harvey. Most of the flooding wasn't from storm surge.
People die getting stuck in evacuation as well though. It is tough evacuating an urban area. Highways weren't made for it. Rita taught us well.
@SandHillThicket Rita came shortly after Katrina and people overreacted honestly. Galveston officials were angry that Houston residents clogged their escape. They futily told people "only evacuate from the evacuation zones" in Houston.
People were fleeing from 100 miles inland. Every route was crawling as people ran out of gas on the roads.
@S_r_stone I remember that. It was horrifying to watch! So sad.
@S_r_stone Yeah, we did #Irma and the worst part was the flood that came a week later. We were living at 71 feet above sea level adjacent to a headwaters. Slowest flood ever.