This is a very real concern in the desert West where I live. We have few highways exiting the city with large expanses in between. This weekend the three to the north (I17), north-east (SR87) and east (SR60) were all closed. The 87 and 60 are the only ways out that cross the Verde river, making that particularly problematic. The remaining interstate, the I10, regularly closes as well, and while somewhat unlikely it wouldn't be shocking to find that Phoenix residents are literally stuck where they live.
Additionally, much of the land surrounding the city is closed for fire restrictions, or as the result of the Bush fire burn scar being ecologically fragile.
Practically, this isn't more than an annoyance as people find they can't return home from weekend vacations up north. But ideologically being literally prohibited from legal travel is unbefitting of somewhere once called "the land of the free."
Additionally, much of the land surrounding the city is closed for fire restrictions, or as the result of the Bush fire burn scar being ecologically fragile.
Practically, this isn't more than an annoyance as people find they can't return home from weekend vacations up north. But ideologically being literally prohibited from legal travel is unbefitting of somewhere once called "the land of the free."