Reply #84: I think the issue is fire/evacuation safety...

[Telly Savalas]

when there are 30,000 or so in the Astrodome watch a game, 95% of the people are dispersed in the seats and each individual is close to an exit without there being 1000 people in the way. With everyone on the field however, there are a limited number of nearby exits per person and a lot more people using these ground level exits. It's my understanding that it was the fire marshall who said no more could come in.

This is not meant to be a blanket defence of the so called relief efforts. If my little theory is indeed correct about the reasoning, then they should have figured it out long beforehand and gave fair warning. They should also have a lot more relief shelters set up, and it's doubtful they do otherwise the media would be at them.