Great observations, gulliamo, except maybe the "many on this forum can't wait to bug-out" part. In my experience, most people this forum think bug-in first. In fact, most of the recent Hurricane Sandy posts reflect that. Most of us seem to be trying increase our bug-in abilities. Martin's tread is an excellent example of families preparing as best they can to bug-in and communities pulling together to make things work as best they can.

There are some very valid reasons why some have and will consider bugging-out in these circumstances. Your post reflects this very well. Soaked by flooding, freezing temps moving in, already been without power for a week and serious fuel shortages in the region, seem like pretty valid reasons for some people to bug-out to me. Very few people, especially in the area hit by this storm, have the ability to be self-sifficient indefintiely.

The thing that I find interesting, is the tipping point between when to stay and when to go. You made it through the event and you're past the initial 72 hour period. It's been a week now and you're soaked, powerless, supplies are running low either at home or at stores/gas stations or both, etc. but civilization is right around the corner. Emergency services are slowly staring to arrive but your tropical storm is now turning into a winter storm. If you've got the fuel and have a destination, do you go?