A car owner has gone viral in a video of him protecting his Corvette from Hurricane Milton as time to evacuate runs out.
People in Florida are still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Helene, and are now awaiting landfall of Category 5 Milton, which experts say could be the worst storm in a century.
President Biden calls evacuation a “matter of life and death.” But amid all the chaos, a social media video showcasing one man’s unique approach to storm preparation has ignited a heated debate among viewers online.
The footage, shared by John Santos, from West Palm Beach, Florida has captured the attention of over 38.5-plus million viewers since its upload on October 8. Viewers can see Santos (gucci_lemon_reloaded) meticulously cover his new Chevrolet Corvette in layers of what appear to be industrial quality plastic and film.
An overlaid text on the video read: “Category 5 hurricane, brand-new Corvette 9 miles from the water.”
The footage from Santos’ garage, set against the imminent threat of one of the most powerful storms in recent history, has resonated with many, sparking discussions about priorities and preparedness.
Rick Kriseman, the former mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, says that there are a number of parking garages in the state which were developed to serve the purpose of safeguarding cars during bouts of severe weather.
“Losing a vehicle during a storm only adds to the stress when people are already facing so much—and it’s something that can often be prevented,” Kriseman, a Democrat politician who served as mayor from 2014 to 2022, told Newsweek. “The best way to keep your vehicles safe during a storm with great potential for storm surge is to park it and leave it in a parking garage on the highest covered floor available.
“St. Petersburg, opened its parking garages for just this purpose and by offering these simple but important solutions, cities can really make a difference and give people one less thing to worry about as they get back on their feet.”
St. Petersburg, along with Tampa and Sarasota are expected to be heavily affected by the incoming hurricane, and are projected to be hit by up to 15-feet of storm surge.
Just How Serious Is Hurricane Milton?
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall along Florida’s western coastline, known as Florida’s Gulf Coast, with the potential to cause widespread devastation. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) expects Milton to hit late on Wednesday night or early on Thursday morning, local time.
More than 50 counties in Florida have been placed under a state of emergency, and mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for several areas, with officials urging residents to seek safety immediately. This includes regions still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which left many communities, even inland, devastated and vulnerable less then two weeks ago.
The warnings have triggered mass evacuations, as residents are told that staying could lead to them losing not just their homes but their lives too. The rush of 5.5 million people being urged to leave Florida has led to significant traffic jams and some fuel shortages along the path out of Milton’s projected landfall spot.
Long-term care facilities in counties where mandatory evacuations have been issued are now moving patients elsewhere, while animal rescue shelters race to get their pets into temporary foster homes with families away from the line of impact or in sister shelters further afield.
The Florida Department of Health has deployed more than 600 ambulances and other emergency response vehicles, and has established 11 special-needs shelters for people with disabilities. Tampa General Hospital, in Tampa, Florida, one of the largest hospitals in Milton’s path, will remain open and has activated its hurricane-preparedness plan.
A Chevrolet Corvette drives along a bay; and an aerial shot of a past hurricane approaching the U.S. A Florida man’s way of preparing his car for incoming Hurricane Milton, now at Category 4, has sparked discussion online.
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In light of the severe weather, social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become key outlets for individuals like Santos to communicate their experiences and preparations with viewers online.
While many understand Santos’ attempt to protect his prized possession, the video has drawn mixed reactions. Some praise his diligence and relate to his desire to safeguard his valuables, while others criticize how he has attempted to do so with little consideration for the personal circumstances around his decision.
“I’m a Corvette owner. I would simply drive it to a safe location and pay for secured closed garage long term parking. Then go back and get it,” one viewer said.
Another added: “Fun thing about cars is that you can drive them away from danger.”
“Drive it to a safe location, this’ll do absolutely nothing. Bye bye beautiful Corvette,” a third viewer shared.
“I love that you gift wrapped it so Milton can celebrate his birthday,” another added.
As Florida prepares to face Hurricane Milton, residents watch with bated breath, hoping for minimal loss and swift recovery.
Santos’ video, amidst its mixed reception, brings attention to the different ways people are preparing for the impending natural disaster. The hurricane had dropped in intensity to Category 3 on Wednesday morning, but has since rebounded to Category 4 and the time for residents in high-risk areas to prepare or leave is running out.
Newsweek reached out to John Santos (@gucci_lemon_reloaded) for more information via Instagram and TikTok.
