Florida Officials Issue Grim Warning to Residents Who Won’t Evacuate: Write Names on Bodies

As Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, barrels toward Tampa Bay, Florida officials are issuing dire warnings to residents who refuse to evacuate. With the storm expected to make landfall Wednesday, bringing 180 mph winds and a 15-foot storm surge, officials are telling those who remain behind to take one grim step: write their names on their bodies to aid in identification.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody delivered the stark message: “You probably need to write your name in permanent marker on your arm so that people know who you are when they get to you afterwards.” Moody’s warning comes as several counties have issued mandatory evacuation orders, and Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency in 51 counties.

Despite the evacuation orders, some residents have chosen to stay behind, prompting Hillsborough County Fire Chief Jason Dougherty to emphasize the danger. “If you remain there, you could die,” Dougherty said. He added that those who refuse to evacuate also put first responders’ lives at risk. “My men and women could die trying to rescue you,” he warned.

In Pinellas County, officials have vowed stricter enforcement of evacuation orders. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri explained that this time, unlike previous storms, businesses will be forced to close to ensure residents take the warnings seriously. “That’s not going to happen this time, and we’re going to shut you down,” Gualtieri stated.

Meteorologists are warning that Hurricane Milton could be one of the most destructive storms to hit Tampa Bay in a century. Noah Bergren, a meteorologist, noted that the storm's intensity is nearing record levels. “This hurricane is nearing the mathematical limit of what Earth’s atmosphere over this ocean water can produce,” he posted.

With 10-15 feet of storm surge predicted, officials are imploring residents to heed evacuation orders to avoid catastrophe. The risk of staying behind, as officials have repeatedly stressed, could be fatal.

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