24,000 people still on Galveston Island?!?

10:00 PM EDT: Good lord!! If this report is accurate, and if the storm surge is anywhere near as bad as feared, the death toll could be enormous!!

(Hat tip: Houblog, who estimates that if the 40% “refusing to leave” holds true for other vulnerable areas of the metro area, a total of 300,000 to 500,000 people could be in harm’s way.)

P.S. Why the hell didn’t these people leave? I’m speaking of Galveston specifically — the other places, I understand a bit more, but 40% of people on Galveston Island refusing to evacuate?? It makes me angry. Scared for them, yes, but also, angry. Honestly.