Hurricane Milton unleashes a flood of Florida Men doing dumb things on TikTok

Hurricane Milton has led to mass evacuations in Florida and sparked global concern about climate change’s effects on natural disasters. However, it’s also highlighting our current era, where everything seems to be about creating TikTok content.

Despite the serious threat posed by the hurricane, some individuals have taken the opportunity to showcase their social media skills, often putting themselves and first responders at risk for a moment of fame. Yet, much of the footage shared isn’t as genuine as it appears.

One TikToker, Matthew Heller, posted a video on October 9 that appeared to show him sitting in a kayak inside his home, surrounded by floodwaters in Tampa. Upon closer examination, he had previously shared a similar video before Milton’s landfall, using footage from Hurricane Helene in September. A commenter pointed out the timestamp discrepancy, noting that Heller was merely teasing the upcoming storm.

While he didn’t explicitly state that the video was from Milton, he omitted any specific date or time in the caption, likely hoping to increase its chances of going viral. His earlier post, which included the name “Milton” and a date, was misleading since it was actually from Hurricane Helene.

In another video, he showed himself preparing for the storm by sealing his property with foam insulation, a measure that was probably ineffective.

On a lighter note, another TikTok featured a man covering his new Corvette in plastic wrap to protect it from flooding, despite being nine miles from the water. Although it seemed unlikely to offer much protection, it provided a humorous distraction from the storm’s severity.

In a follow-up, he mentioned that the car would be parked in a garage expected to withstand around two feet of water, alleviating concerns about it floating away.

While social media and citizen journalism have transformed how we share and connect, some posts during crises can come off as jaded or disingenuous. The comedic angle often detracts from the gravity of the situation, showcasing a detachment from the real dangers at hand.

Though it can be amusing to laugh at quirky attempts to safeguard possessions, much of the content related to Hurricane Milton has needed to be clarified or debunked. In an age where misinformation spreads quickly, it’s essential to be wary of how easily some might exploit a natural disaster for views or profit. That said, if more entertaining clips of cars wrapped in plastic emerge, they’re sure to catch attention.