Duck. But Not Too Soon.

Last year, despite dire predictions, not a single hurricane made landfall on the U.S. gulf coast. This year, as Hurricane Dean threatens (currently) northern mexico and south Texas, things are back to normal. Or are they?
Hurricane Katrina taught us that failing to evacuate in time can cause big, deadly problems. After 2 years without a big blow, federal, state and local authorities along the Gulf of Mexico are outdoing themselves in the "Early Evacuation Derby." Already, some Texas town have urged voluntary evacuations with Dean still four days away. Other places have begun mandatory evacuations. The effort might save lives, but there's a downside, too. If hundreds of thousands evacuate early and Dean goes elsewhere, as hurricanes are prone to do, they'll be less likely to evacuate next time. Early evacuations also present targets of opportunity for looters, shoplifters and other low rents who know how to cash in on human fear. Some early evacuees could suffer as badly at the hands of looters as they might have in the eye of the storm. It's worth thinking about.
Hurricane season is finally back. Officials should treat these storms with caution. Not panic.