Sheriff Wayne Padgett of Taylor County, Florida, issued a grim warning to residents who have ignored evacuation orders for Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm expected to make landfall on Thursday night. Despite mandatory evacuation orders, Padgett estimated that half of the county’s 20,000 residents have chosen to stay put. He advised them to mark themselves with personal information using a black Magic Marker so officials can identify them in worst-case scenarios. Padgett highlighted the unprecedented storm surge predicted, posing a significant threat to those in low-lying areas.
Padgett expressed concerns about the potential devastation as Helene is forecasted to be one of the biggest storms to hit the Gulf Coast with wind speeds up to 125 mph. Tornado warnings have also been issued in the storm zone. The sheriff urged residents to consider getting to shelters in other counties, as Taylor County did not open shelters fearing they could be in the storm’s direct path. Uber has offered to transport residents to shelters outside the county.
Despite the challenges, Padgett reassured residents that all necessary preparations have been made, including power crews and food trucks on standby. This will be the third major storm to hit Taylor County in a year, but Padgett remains optimistic that the community will endure and recover. Agencies from the state are ready to assist in the aftermath of the storm, and Padgett emphasized the importance of staying safe and patient during this critical time.
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