Trusting the government is a suckers game.  You may have no choice.  But in this century one is probably wiser to trust to the mercy of the hurricane.  

If you have friends or relatives, though--better to seek shelter with them.  

It also depends on many things--such as food and water.  If you are prepared to live many days with no markets, nothing coming out of the tap, no light and no power, that is very different than if you are not ready for these things.  A mistake can kill you very quickly.  

Will the roof blow off your house?  Living with no roof is surely miserable, but may not be fatal--IF you have thought it through.  

Most of the damage on the Gulf Coast seems to be water damage.  (Totally unlike the Bahamas.)

The key question:  How high will the water go?  At this point Galveston seems to have lucked out.  Between Galveston and Port Arthur is a different story, though.  Reportedly Sabine Pass is simply gone--which means anyone who tried to stay there is gone too.    

Getting drunk at a beach bar has GOT to be a bad plan--by any measure.  

The Fates are kind.