Floridians along the coast who chose to ride out Hurricane Helene were given a grim warning by the local sheriff’s office. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office advised those who stayed behind to write their name, birthday, and important information on their body in permanent marker for identification in case of death. This warning was directed at those who ignored evacuation orders and warnings about the storm’s severity. The sheriff’s office also requested residents to email their details for tracking purposes.
The small rural county has faced several hurricanes in recent years, with Hurricane Idalia and Hurricane Debby causing significant damage. Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, was predicted to bring a storm surge up to 20 feet high. Gene Taylor, who experienced Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, advised people to have life jackets and an ax in case they needed to escape through the roof.
During Hurricane Katrina and other severe floods, many people had to be rescued from rooftops. The message from the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office was clear – staying behind during a deadly storm could result in serious consequences. As the storm approached, residents were urged to take precautions and not underestimate the potential dangers of the hurricane.
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