Almost everybody. 2 idiot friends, one in Oldsmar and one in Indian Shores refuse to evacuate.
I never understood why people choose to stay. As a meteorologist, i'm always looking at risk assessment and I never understood the upside to staying. If you leave and nothing happens, you can return, curse the meteorologist and move on with your life - but if you stay - especially when we are talking about this level of risk with a major hurricane and associated winds and storm surge - then the downside is your life...but even IF you survive....power and water will surely be knocked out for an extended period of time...who wants to live through that?
I realize some people cant afford to leave and they need help in doing so, but that brand of idiot machismo doesnt often end well.
My wife follows some famous people on IG and they have 2 week old twins and were planning on staying in Sarasota...because they have a generator. my one question - you are betting the life and well being of your entire family including 2 week old babies - on the reliability of your generator? what if it goes out? what if you run out of fuel? Just go. It isnt worth it by a long shot.
We all went through Hurricane Sandy and just being without power for 2 weeks - nevermind water or sewer or cell service or the florida heat - was bad enough. Time is just about up.
What I tell people in an evacuation zone during major hurricanes like this who decide to stay is - do everyone a favor and write your social security number in Sharpie on your arm - it'll make it easier for us to identify your body later on.