As Hurricane Milton approaches many cities were largely deserted but some people decided to shelter in place

Most left when they were told to. But some chose to stay, even though officials warned Hurricane Milton would turn their homes into coffins.

Along Florida’s Gulf coast, where millions of people were urged to get out of harm’s way, cities were largely deserted on Wednesday afternoon as time ran out to evacuate. Those who remained were advised to shelter in place as best they could. Others who fled spoke of their dread at what, if anything, they would return to once the storm had passed.

William Tokajer, police chief of Holmes Beach, told islanders who planned to stay to write their names, dates of birth and social security numbers on their limbs with Sharpies to help identify their bodies after the storm.

  • Annoyed_🦀 @monyet.cc
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    27 days ago

    William Tokajer, police chief of Holmes Beach, told islanders who planned to stay to write their names, dates of birth and social security numbers on their limbs with Sharpies to help identify their bodies after the storm.

    Ooookay, that’s super grim.

    • Agent641@lemmy.world
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      27 days ago

      Tampa mayor on CNN, verbatim: “And I can say without any dramatization whatsoever, if you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re gonna die.”

      Whether she’s personally roaming the zone with an AK-47 to see to it, is not clear.

    • ladicius@lemmy.world
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      27 days ago

      That is one of the most practical suggestions I’ve ever seen.

      They could tape their documents to their bodies, just wrap enough tape around. Sharpie may wash off.

      • unemployedclaquer@sopuli.xyz
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        27 days ago

        Yeah I think that was said for dramatic effect. I hope it worked, because I am not confident in permanent marker on skin submerged lasting very long

        • Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works
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          27 days ago

          My cell number stayed on my toddler~runner’s back while she played in the water features in Central Park, but after a soapy tub at the hotel it was pretty faded.

        • kent_eh@lemmy.ca
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          26 days ago

          I’ve had sharpie marks last on my hand after several handwashings trying to get it off.

    • AlligatorBlizzard@sh.itjust.works
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      27 days ago

      Copied from a top level comment I made about the same quote:

      This isn’t a new suggestion. I remember this being told to people staying in spite of evac orders for a previous nasty storm, iirc it was Key West hearing it that time. It scared the shit out of some people back then and convinced them to leave, sadly the more times you hear something like that the less impact it has. And your neighbor managed to ride it out last time they said that…