at it:

Might not a sane, intelligent Mayor have decided, on basis of best information available (whatever Was? the condition of believable/informed communications at various stages) -- that the prospect of a bunch of busses becoming swamped in nowhereville -- outweighed arguments for a heroic drive outta there?

Etc.

I think we'll have to await that mythical Funded-but-Unbiased Official Investigation. Maybe by '07? (Unless Martial Law has been declared in the interim, of course.)