One of the most active hurricane seasons on record ended Sunday, and for the most part the panhandle escaped the season's wrath.

The season saw 16 named storms including eight hurricanes, five of which were at least category three strength. In New Orleans, Gustav neared in early September.

Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Ike struck Texas.

The evacuation strategies were different, but the results largely the same: both cities avoided repeating disastrous evacuations that cost lives during the deadly 2005 hurricane season.

With the 2009 season in mind, emergency planners are reflecting on their responses to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.