The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office in the Big Bend area of Florida is urging residents who chose to ignore mandatory evacuation orders for Hurricane Helene to write their name and other identifying details in permanent marker on their arms or legs. This measure aims to facilitate identification in case they become victims of the storm.
Currently, Taylor County is under a Hurricane Warning and a Storm Surge Warning, with anticipated storm surges reaching up to 20 feet, as stated by the National Hurricane Center. Such levels would be unprecedented, and the National Weather Service in Tallahassee described them as “catastrophic and potentially unsurvivable.”
A countywide evacuation order was issued for Taylor County on Tuesday in preparation for the hurricane.
Officials emphasized the importance of writing personal information clearly to assist in identification and family notification efforts. They also requested residents who stayed behind or their relatives to email the sheriff’s office with details of those remaining, including whether they are located inland or near the coastline, their addresses, and the number of people in each location.
Furthermore, officials have advised all residents, guests, and those who previously evacuated to avoid returning to Taylor County until further notice from the Emergency Operations Center. They anticipate numerous roads will be unpassable and that hazardous conditions, like fallen trees and downed power lines, will pose significant risks.
Hurricane Helene is projected to make landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on Thursday night or early Friday morning, potentially as a Category 4 hurricane.