Around 24 people? I think it'd be time to explain to them that, in my new found guise of survival expert, with the several days or rain and little or no shelter, similar situation with food, that they'd be better off being uncomfortable in the school or finding alternative places to stay rather than dieing of exposure.
If they got insistant on staying I think I'd have to save them by heading back to the school myself, after all they are friends and neighbours.
You have a very valid point there Glen, we are after all a small minority (people who know a thing or two about living in the wilder places of our planet!)
Most people would succumb to the elements if led into the hills, even if they were given advice, so yes let them go to the shelter of the schools or wherever else they have been told to go.
Although I would still go elsewhere myself.