Sheriff Wayne Padgett of Taylor County, Florida, issued a grim warning to residents who chose to ignore evacuation orders and stay at home during Hurricane Helene. Despite mandatory evacuations being in place, Padgett estimated that as much as half of the population decided to stay put. He advised those residents to mark themselves with their information so officials can identify them later in worst-case scenarios. Padgett expressed concern over the unprecedented storm surge of up to 20 feet that Helene was expected to bring, posing a serious threat to those in low-lying areas. Tornado warnings were also issued within the storm zone.
Due to the high risk, Padgett urged residents to seek shelter in other counties, as Taylor County was directly in the storm’s path. Uber offered transportation for residents to shelters outside the county. Despite facing the third major storm in a year, Padgett reassured the community that they would endure and recover. Power crews and food trucks were prepared for the aftermath of the storm, as officials waited for Helene to pass. With the help of state agencies and the community coming together, Padgett emphasized the importance of remaining patient and staying safe during this challenging time.
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