The mayor of Holmes Beach (on the barrier island Anna Maria, off the coast of Bradenton) made a similar dire warning. Anna Maria Island fared very badly when Helene hit. So did Tampa, with the storm surge. With that said, his (and her) statements were classic "boy that cried wolf". Which is not what one wants from government officials in a state that experiences (usually multiple) hurricanes annually.
10/10/24: Pull the fire alarm every day and pretty soon, nobody listens. And this mayor, really, someone ought to tell her that vast numbers of people don't have the money to flee, and that the gas stations had run out of gasoline anyway, so that eliminates anyone with the necessary cash who didn't plan ahead a month or two in advance. Finally, remember Katrina, and the evacuation fiasco that ensued, including a massive bus explosion that killed many of its passengers, senior citizens?
The mayor of Holmes Beach (on the barrier island Anna Maria, off the coast of Bradenton) made a similar dire warning. Anna Maria Island fared very badly when Helene hit. So did Tampa, with the storm surge. With that said, his (and her) statements were classic "boy that cried wolf". Which is not what one wants from government officials in a state that experiences (usually multiple) hurricanes annually.
The mayor is a Democrat...Enough said!
10/10/24: Pull the fire alarm every day and pretty soon, nobody listens. And this mayor, really, someone ought to tell her that vast numbers of people don't have the money to flee, and that the gas stations had run out of gasoline anyway, so that eliminates anyone with the necessary cash who didn't plan ahead a month or two in advance. Finally, remember Katrina, and the evacuation fiasco that ensued, including a massive bus explosion that killed many of its passengers, senior citizens?
Tampa mayor- not helpful! Scaring people needlessly.
Bottom line: You can give people the facts but ultimately the decision is theirs. That being said rescue resources should be provided accordingly.