Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett issued a warning to residents who chose to ignore evacuation orders and stay home during Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm expected to hit the area. He advised residents to mark themselves with personal information in case of emergency. Padgett estimated that half of the 20,000 residents in Taylor County have stayed put despite mandatory evacuation orders. He urged them to “hunker down” and warned of the potential for an 18- to 20-foot storm surge.
Padgett expressed concern over the storm’s intensity, with winds up to 125 mph and the threat of tornadoes. He recommended that residents in low-lying and coastal areas seek shelter in other counties, as Taylor County is in the storm’s direct path. Uber has offered to transport residents to shelters outside the county, and power crews and food trucks are prepared to assist after the storm passes.
This is the third major storm in a year for Taylor County, but Padgett remains optimistic that the community will endure and recover. Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene, Padgett reassured residents that emergency agencies are on hand to provide assistance, emphasizing that preparations are in place. Residents are encouraged to stay safe and to be prepared for the storm.
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