Residents Reprimanded by Sheriff for Disregarding Hurricane Helene Evacuation Order

With Hurricane Helene approaching Florida, officials, including Sheriff Bob Gualtieri in Pinellas County, admonished residents in evacuation zones for not heeding orders to leave. The storm is expected to bring “unsurvivable” storm surge to the northwest coast. Governor Ron DeSantis urged those in vulnerable areas to evacuate immediately before conditions worsened. Although most counties on the western coast have issued evacuation orders, some residents are choosing to stay despite grave warnings. In Franklin County, Sheriff A.J. Smith said he’s never seen so many residents evacuate before a hurricane. However, there are still people choosing to stay for various reasons. In the town of Steinhatchee, Pastor Paul Nawlin rode around checking on residents who chose to hunker down. In Saint Marks, stone crab fisherman Philip Tooke plans to ride out the storm on his fishing boat, letting out lines as the water rises. Despite officials’ warnings, some residents are choosing to stay and trust in divine protection. The National Weather Service described the storm surge as “catastrophic and unsurvivable.” Evacuation orders have been issued in multiple counties, including Wakulla, where the sheriff warned that the storm could be historic. Overall, officials are urging residents to leave vulnerable areas and not to take risks by staying behind.

Photo credit
www.usatoday.com