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

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.

  • IninewCrow@lemmy.caEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    I feel bad for these people because I have a feeling that they are staying not because of religion, politics or any other reason other than … they can’t afford to do anything else. I know a few people in Florida and from what I’ve gathered from many people who live down there, life is expensive and it got even more expensive in the past decade.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
      1·
      1 month ago

      There are other reasons too. I was told by someone that they know a person who couldn’t evacuate because they run a cat rescue. You can’t leave rescue animals behind, but you also can’t take 10 of them (or however many) with you.

    • TommySoda@lemmy.world
      1·
      1 month ago

      One of my friends is stuck right now because his mom took the car and bailed while he was taking out the dogs. So there’s also that…

    • Drusas@fedia.io
      1·
      1 month ago

      If that is the case, they should say so and seek assistance. Not lie about it.

    • EleventhHour@lemmy.world
      1·
      1 month ago

      Many people can’t afford to evacuate. No car, no cash, nowhere to go… plenty of people like this exist.

      But that’s not these people. No, this article addresses those who, in the face of a very real and very deadly storm, choose to believe in a wish-granting invisible sky wizard instead.

      Evolution is cruel, but fair…

      But here’s a bedtime story for the “faithful”:

      A storm descends on a small town, and the downpour soon turns into a flood. As the waters rise, the local preacher kneels in prayer on the church porch, surrounded by water. By and by, one of the townsfolk comes up the street in a canoe.

      “Better get in, Preacher. The waters are rising fast.”

      “No,” says the preacher. “I have faith in the Lord. He will save me.”

      Still the waters rise. Now the preacher is up on the balcony, wringing his hands in supplication, when another guy zips up in a motorboat.

      “Come on, Preacher. We need to get you out of here. The levee’s gonna break any minute.”

      Once again, the preacher is unmoved. “I shall remain. The Lord will see me through.”

      After a while the levee breaks, and the flood rushes over the church until only the steeple remains above water. The preacher is up there, clinging to the cross, when a helicopter descends out of the clouds, and a state trooper calls down to him through a megaphone.

      “Grab the ladder, Preacher. This is your last chance.”

      Once again, the preacher insists the Lord will deliver him.

      And, predictably, he drowns.

      A pious man, the preacher goes to heaven. After a while he gets an interview with God, and he asks the Almighty, “Lord, I had unwavering faith in you. Why didn’t you deliver me from that flood?”

      God shakes his head. “What did you want from me? I sent you two boats and a helicopter.”

      Sleep tight.

    • Hegar@fedia.io
      0·
      1 month ago

      Yeah, I think religious explanations are often given when someone can’t tell or can’t face why something is happening. When people tell me they’re doing something out of religious conviction, I usually wonder what the real reasons are.

      • PugJesus@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 month ago

        I don’t know, I think you may underestimate the depth of religious convictions in some areas of the country.

        • Hegar@fedia.io
          0·
          1 month ago

          Yeah there are definitely some earnestly religious people.

          I just think that material circumstances, group identity, social status and things like that are what determine the behavior of social primates. Religion is a convenient explanation because it makes you look upstanding and can justify absolutely anything, really.

          • PugJesus@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            1 month ago

            I think that the modernist and materialist interpretation of society is very lacking and outdated. Humans are not purely rational creatures, and incredibly counterintuitive behavior, up to and including massive movements of millions of people contrary to their material interests and the interests of their own social advancement, has been and is caused by religious mania.