In a mind-boggling move that left many shaking their heads in disbelief, the mayor of Rockport, Texas, reportedly advised residents who opted not to evacuate before Hurricane Harvey’s wrath to take out a Sharpie and inscribe their social security numbers on their arms. Yes, you read that correctly.

Patrick Rios, the mayor of the small coastal city directly in the storm’s path, made this jaw-dropping suggestion during a press conference as Texas prepared for the impending hurricane. The rationale behind this bizarre recommendation? Making individuals easily identifiable in the aftermath of the storm.

“We’re suggesting if people are going to stay here, mark their arm with a Sharpie pen with their name and social security number,” Mr. Rios nonchalantly stated, as if asking residents to turn themselves into walking ID cards was just another casual piece of advice. “We hate to talk about things like that. It’s not something we like to do but it’s the reality, people don’t listen.”

As Hurricane Harvey, rapidly intensifying into a category four storm, made landfall in Rockport, chaos ensued. Initial reports indicated that 10 people in the city had to be treated after the storm’s fierce assault. Scenes of a senior housing complex with a collapsed roof and a courthouse with major damage paint a bleak picture of Rockport’s plight.

The mayor’s unconventional proposal added an extra layer of bewilderment to an already surreal situation. The storm, not content with wreaking havoc in Rockport, is now setting its sights on Houston, a city notoriously susceptible to flooding.

With Texas and Louisiana declaring a state of emergency, Harvey marks the first major hurricane to pummel the United States in over a decade. Amid the chaos, Mayor Rios’ advice to tattoo social security numbers on arms remains a stark reminder that reality sometimes outpaces even the most bewildering expectations.

Last modified: January 29, 2024