Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett issued a grim warning to residents who have chosen to ignore evacuation orders and stay at home during Hurricane Helene. The Category 4 storm is expected to make landfall in Taylor County, Florida, with a potential storm surge of up to 20 feet. Despite mandatory evacuation orders, Padgett estimates that half of the county’s 20,000 residents have chosen to stay put. He advised residents to mark themselves with their information using a black magic marker so officials can identify them in worst-case scenarios. Padgett emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that those in low-lying areas face a death threat from the storm.
Although Taylor County did not open shelters due to the storm’s direct path, Uber offered to transport residents to shelters in other counties. Padgett expressed his concern for the safety of residents and urged them to take necessary precautions. He emphasized that the county is prepared for the storm, with power crews and food trucks available for those in need. Padgett acknowledged that Hurricane Helene is the third major storm to hit Taylor County within a year, but expressed resilience and determination to endure and recover. Residents are urged to stay safe and hang on during this challenging time.
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