Texas mayor tells those not evacuating to write names, Social Security numbers on their arms: report

A Texas mayor is reportedly advising his residents who are not evacuating before Hurricane Harvey sweeps the state’s coastline to write identifying information on their bodies.

Rockport Mayor Pro Tempore Patrick Rios said Friday, ahead of the massive hurricane’s expected landfall, that residents should either evacuate or make sure their remains can be identified.

“We’re suggesting if people are going to stay here, mark their arm with a Sharpie pen with their name and Social Security number,” Rios said at a morning press conference, as reported by ABC News.

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“We hate to talk about things like that,” he added. “It’s not something we like to do, but it’s the reality, people don’t listen.”

Harvey, which is expected to cause a severe ocean surge and flooding, was classified as a Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds of at least 120 miles per hour.

Rockport is one of seven counties and five cities in the state’s coastal region that have issued voluntary evacuations in preparation for the storm, while the states of Texas and Louisiana have each declared a state of emergency. 

Harvey will be the first major hurricane to hit the U.S in 12 years.