I wouldn't put too much stock in rumors. I've heard some whoppers during storms that were way off base. But I do know someone that was held up at gunpoint on the outskirts of a search and rescue task force staging area. They wanted the tank trailer he was moving with his SUV. He assumes they thought it was full of gasoline rather than the water it held. People are crazy.

I heard at least one report of a person that evacuated from Houston in a gas-electric hybrid. While others ran out of gas or waiting in long long lines for gas, they made it to their destination on a single tank with some gas left over. A Ford Escape hybrid would definately be a good choice for sitting in traffic for 12 hours. I'd peel off the "Hybrid" logo before I left though, to keep a lower profile.