haertig, you are right about using personal judgement in conjunction with what the officials are saying/recommending. I do think that many people do not leave because they really do not want their homes looted. Their reasoning could be clouded by such concerns. I know that I am not sure how I would react in such times of distress. I am fortunate that I do not live in an area where I have to make those considerations due to weather events. I am in the middle of, and in close proximity (<1 mile), to major interstates/toll roads and a rail line, though. I would have considerably less time to react if a really nasty chemical event happened. I would leave.