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.

  • EleventhHour@lemmy.world
    511·
    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.

    • IninewCrow@lemmy.caEnglish
      167·
      1 month ago

      Yeah … I’m as anti religious as the next guy … I’m indigenous so I’ve seen a lot of “Christian love” to know that these people are probably religious nuts.

      But I also know desperation and being cornered into a life you have no control over … especially if your life leads you into a dangerous situation and you have no money, no wealth, no options and no hope.

      I know a lot of proud people that would never admit to anyone that they can’t afford to save themselves and they’d rather raise their hands and praise the lord than admit defeat.

      I may not share the same beliefs as these people and chances are they might not appreciate me either … but it doesn’t mean I’ll give up my sense of empathy for my fellow man.

      • bcgm3@lemmy.world
        31·
        1 month ago

        It’s wild seeing a message of intelligence, empathy and compassion getting downvoted, while several other messages condemning all religious folks everywhere get solidly positive responses. I’m strongly atheist myself, but only sith deal in absolutes… Or maybe I’m just fortunate like you, to have met a real variety of people in my life, so I know that there’s a possibility that there is more to someone than just what I read about them on the internet. Either way, I like your take and I appreciate that you voiced it here.

    • Malfeasant@lemm.ee
      1·
      1 month ago

      When I heard this story, the man wasn’t just being obstinate, every time he was offered rescue, he turned it down because he was sure someone else needed the help more than he did. It’s a minor difference in words, but a major difference in the tone of the story.