I don't disagree completely with you, hill. Just pointing out some other facts.
I agree people are too dependent. Whenever there's an emergency, I'm the one telling people to take action while they sit around dumbfounded. It annoys me to no end. I've worked in healthcare for a long time and have experienced this time and again.
Case in point: Last yr I had a medical emergency at work--on a floor full of healthcare office workers. I was going to bleed to death, and fast. I had to bark out orders to people, demanding they run and call 911. First 2 shrugged, one giggled. Demanded the giggler run back and get a different person (retired nurse) and bring a cell phone. She sauntered off and mentioned in passing that I wanted her to come to the bathroom. Arrives, no cell phone. 3rd request--"I am bleeding to death--get me an ambulance NOW!" Took 3 people before someone had the sense to THINK. I was covered in blood and it was all over the floor. It was obvious I wasn't kidding or exaggerating.
I bring that up because it is apparent most people do not know how to act in an emergency. With Katrina they had several days' notice, so it seems more people could have wisened up and acted.
PS- I still believe there may be some people who did walk. You originally said "none".