Stubborn stay-putters put first responders at risk

It's as predictable as death and taxes. No matter the immensity of the hurricane bearing down and the urgency behind mandatory evacuation orders — 1.4 million were told to flee Florence's path — thousands of people in harm's way still try to ride out the storm. The result is a desperate whirlwind of water and air rescues — about a thousand and counting, so far, in North Carolina. The stranded are plucked off rooftops or out of flooded entryways by first responders duty bound to find stay-putters and carry them to safety. People refuse to evacuate for many reasons, researchers say. The disabled may simply be afraid or unable to leave their homes. Others don't have the means for a hotel or relatives to take them in, or they find community shelters unacceptable. A good many don't know what to do about their pets. In a search for answers, communities might explore voucher programs for easing the out-of-pocket costs for temporary relocation and incorporate sanctuaries for evacuated pets into disaster preparedness plans. Congress mandated the pet-friendly approach in 2006, but it has not been widely adopted. As a storm approaches, evacuees must be provided the best information on where shelters are located and how best to travel there. Even after any and all precautions, too many residents foolishly believe they can simply tough out a hurricane — in the case of Florence, perhaps because it was downgraded from a Category 4 at its peak to a Category 1 at landfall, despite warnings of catastrophic flooding that proved accurate. Tough love might be in order. As Hurricane Sandy bore down on New Jersey in 2012, residents who refused to leave were asked to fill out a form with instructions on how to notify next of kin. A good idea. Others were advised to write Social Security numbers on their arms in indelible ink. An even better idea. Why? So recovery crews could ultimately identify their corpses. Stubborn stay-putters should know their choice is profoundly selfish. They choose not just for themselves, but also for loved ones who might never see them again and, more important, for those who will risk life and limb to rescue them.