Floridians Who Don't Evacuate Told To Write Their Names On Their Bodies

As Hurricane Milton barrels toward the Florida coast as a colossal Category 4 storm, local officials have been urging people to evacuate. While many residents have heeded the warnings, boarded up their homes, and left, a few have refused to leave.

Authorities have said that anybody who doesn't evacuate is risking their life. Once the storm hits, they will be on their own until Milton has passed. According to CNN's Paul Murphy, local officials are telling residents who do decide to stay to write their names on their bodies in ink so they can be identified by search and rescue crews.

"It's the same message we're hearing for people from leaders across the state: If you stay, they can not get you. They were able to do some water rescues in Helene; that will not happen with Milton," Murphy said, according to Mediaite. "Once the winds, which are forecasted to start here at tropical storm force gusts, once they start tomorrow at around 8 a.m., he expects that by noon, they're not going to be able — they're going to have to evacuate the island themselves. So starting at noon tomorrow, if you're here, there will not be help coming for you. You are on your own."

"And he's made that very clear. It's that same message we're hearing from officials: Write your name, write your number, write someone else's number, your date of birth on you," he added. "Because when they come looking for you, they want to know who to contact because you decided to stay."