The Taylor County sheriff has a grim warning for residents who have chosen to ignore evacuation orders and wait out Hurricane Helene at home: Mark yourself with your information so officials can identify you later.
Taylor County expects to take a direct hit from the Category 4 storm, which is expected to make landfall Thursday night. Sheriff Wayne Padgett said the county will be “in the dead center of” the storm. The county, in northern Florida near the Big Bend region, is home to 20,000 residents, Padgett said.
As in other spots in Florida, mandatory evacuations were ordered for Taylor County, but Padgett estimated that as much as half of his population is choosing to stay put. It’s too late now for them to change their minds and try to head out, Padgett said, who instead told them to “hunker down, stay put.” He also asked them to “take a black Magic Marker, write your name, your Social Security number, everything on your arm” so officials can identify residents in worst-case scenarios.
“I don’t like telling people that, but it is going on,” Padgett said, adding that those in “low-lying areas” face “a death threat” from Helene. “They’re calling for 18- or 20-foot storm surge. We’ve never had a storm surge like this in this county,” he said. “You can kind of hide from the wind, but you can’t hide from that water.”
Most of the people who have chosen not to evacuate are farther inland and in less threatening situations than those along the coast, he said. Helene is forecast to be one of the biggest storms to hit the Gulf Coast, with winds that are expected to reach up to 125 mph. Tornado warnings have also been issued within the storm zone. “I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve never been worried about a storm. I am worried about this storm,” Padgett said.
He said he’s so worried that he thinks it’s safer for residents to get to shelters in other counties. Taylor County didn’t open a shelter because it is in the storm’s direct path, he said, and officials worried that those in the shelter could be in a dangerous situation. Uber has offered to take Taylor County residents to shelters outside the county, Padgett said.
“Every agency from the state is here to help us try to get through this, this storm that we’ll be taking a direct hit on,” Padgett said. He said power crews are lined up waiting for the storm to pass and food trucks are available for those in need. “We got everything ready,” Padgett said, adding that it’s a “big waiting game right now.”
Hurricane Helene Threatens Florida's Big Bend Region
Helene is the third major storm within a year for Taylor County, Padgett said, “But we’re going to endure. We’re going to get better. Just take a deep seat and hang on.”
Prepare for the Worst: Taylor County's Grim Message to Residents
The Taylor County Sheriff's Office issued a dire warning to residents who chose not to evacuate, urging them to write their names and other identifying information on their arms or legs for ease of identification should they become a victim. Taylor County is under a Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Warning with up to 20 feet of storm surge expected, according to the National Hurricane Center. The mandatory countywide evacuation order was issued on Tuesday. “If you or someone you know chose not to evacuate, PLEASE write your name, birthday and important information on your arm or leg in A PERMANENT MARKER so that you can be identified and family notified,” officials said in a statement. The sheriff’s office asked those who stayed behind or their relatives to email them with a roster of who is staying put, including whether their address is inland or along the coastline, their address, and how many people will be staying there.
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office is also asking residents, guests and those who did evacuate to refrain from returning to Taylor County until they receive an official statement from the Emergency Operations Center. Officials foresee many roads being impassable, along with dangerous conditions, such as fallen trees and downed power lines.
A Sobering Reminder: Hurricane's Devastating Impact
Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend of Florida Thursday night or early Friday morning, possibly as a Category 4 hurricane. Taylor County officials are taking the dire step of asking residents to write their names and other identifying information on their arms or legs because the projected storm surge levels would be historic and what the NWS in Tallahassee called “catastrophic and potentially unsurvivable.”
This is a grim reminder of the potential devastation hurricanes can bring, and the importance of heeding evacuation orders. In 2022, Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers, causing widespread destruction, including devastating storm surge. The impact of Hurricane Helene could be just as severe, highlighting the need for preparedness and responsible decision-making.
A Call to Action: Stay Safe, Stay Informed
As Hurricane Helene approaches, it's crucial to prioritize safety and stay informed. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to take all necessary precautions, including evacuating if instructed. The National Weather Service is providing regular updates and guidance. Stay tuned to reliable news sources for the latest information and follow the instructions of local authorities.
