Thus the call for mandatory evacuation of visitors in the Keys (or in a storm's path) way prior to that storm's approach.

I think most people who do not live in a hurricane-prone are do not realize what takes place days prior, thinking a hurricane is somewhat like a tornado... These storms can linger on for days with pounding winds and rainfall in excess of 1 to 2 inches per hour (even before landfall)... where a tornado is history in mere minutes.

JB