Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • New York Post

    Florida man paddles around Tampa home as Helene storm surge floods living room

    By Nicholas McEntyre,

    1 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1FZ5wz_0vlhjwfT00

    This Florida man took channel surfing to a whole new level.

    Stunning home camera video captured Matt Heller paddling around his flooded Tampa living room in a kayak that he intended to use as an “escape plan” as Hurricane Helene’s historic storm surge “came out of nowhere.”

    The brave Floridian documented the rising waters in a viral TikTok video, showing off the dry interior moments before water flooded through the cracks of his home.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3LnBU4_0vlhjwfT00
    Matt Heller paddled around his flooded Tampa Bay home in a kayak he had prepared in case he needed to make a quick escape during Hurricane Helene. @mattfromhornblasters.com/TikTok

    “The kayak was my escape plan in case stuff got too hairy, we could get out,” Heller told CNN. “I didn’t think I was gonna need it in my living room.”

    Heller estimated the water rose to at least 4 feet as the storm surge barreled into his house.

    He sat in the purple and white kayak that he had nearby for an emergency situation and began paddling around his home, which still had its lights on, according to the video he posted.

    The video became an instant viral hit, garnering nearly 12,000 views in the first three hours.

    Hurricane season shows no signs of slowing with more potential storms brewing behind Helene

    “I was floating around, I was surprised the power stayed on for as long as it did,” he added.

    However, Heller soon lost power and used candles to illuminate his home.

    @mattfromhornblasters.com

    Hurricane Helen Tampa Florida Matt Heller from Hornblasters.com house flooding

    ♬ Storm Coming – Once Monsters

    Heller, the founder of automotive train horn company HornBlasters, recalled that Helene’s impact on Florida started “real slowly” — but the situation turned serious rather quickly.

    “All of a sudden the storm just kind of came in and [the waters] been rising and rising,” he told the outlet. “It came out of nowhere, within probably an hour and a half it went up about four feet from nothing.”

    Heller recalled his area in Tampa Bay not getting much rain, but the wind and the storm surge forced the water up to his house.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4JQTaL_0vlhjwfT00
    He sat in the purple and white kayak that he had nearby for an emergency situation and began paddling around his home, which still had its lights on. CNN

    FOX Weather meteorologist covering Helene rescues woman from rising floodwaters in Atlanta in dramatic video

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=38wDFW_0vlhjwfT00
    Shortly after posting the kayak video, Heller lost power and was forced to sit for his interview by candlelight. CNN

    “We’ve had an inch of water here or there but nothing like this,” he said. “This is definitely the biggest flood we’ve ever had.”

    Before the monstrous floods entered his home, Heller took his TikTok Live viewers on a tour of the Hillsborough County waterfront property.

    He showed off the garage where he opened the doors and dirty water rushed inside.

    “Come on in, look at that,” Heller said in a video posted to the social media site. “That was a bad idea, we’re gonna close it. Why would I open that.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=40yj4H_0vlhjwfT00
    Before the monstrous floods entered his home, Heller took his TikTok Live viewers on a tour of the Hillsborough County waterfront property. @mattfromhornblasters.com/TikTok
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Njp2I_0vlhjwfT00
    Record flooding was measured in the Tampa Bay area as storm surges as high as 7.19 feet were recorded in the East Bay neighborhood. @matthewlandonheller/Instagram

    After finally getting the garage door closed, Heller showed that the water was flooding his home through cracks in a door frame and a back room overlooking a large body of water.

    “The water is over the seawall, the boat will probably be in the backyard in a couple of moments,” Heller said half-jokingly.

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR MORNING REPORT NEWSLETTER

    Tampa General Hospital was forced to install a water-impermeable barrier around its building to stop the storm surge.

    The barrier is designed to withstand storm surges up to 15 feet and was created by AquaFence to protect the building, which is located on Davis Islands surrounded by Hillsborough Bay.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Aa2rB_0vlhjwfT00
    Heller estimated the water rose to at least four feet when the storm surge barreled into his house. @mattfromhornblasters.com/TikTok

    Record flooding was measured in the Tampa Bay area as storm surges as high as 7.19 feet were recorded in the East Bay neighborhood.

    Other parts saw water levels rise between 6.15 feet and 6.78 feet, according to WTSP.

    Officials had previously warned residents that storm surges could range between 5 and 8 feet.

    Hurricane Helene made landfall on Florida’s Big Bend area around 11 p.m. Thursday as a Category 4 storm.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1GUyr0_0vlhjwfT00
    High waves crash along the St. Pete Pier as Hurricane Helene wreaks havoc in Florida on Sept. 26, 2024. AP

    It was downgraded to a Category 2 storm as it crossed over into Georgia early Friday.

    The storm has left millions without power and killed at least three people.

    For top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com.

    Expand All
    Comments / 13
    Add a Comment
    t.a.h.
    3h ago
    Unfinished drywall. I don’t see any furniture. This is no way his living room. Maybe it a lower floor or room but not his living room
    Janretta Lewis
    8h ago
    Some people want to evacuate but do to money 💰 and nowhere to go they take a chance, me I pass no judgment on Noone I stayed at my home for hurricane Katrina and I tell you want GOD do it he took care of me and my family and I thank him, we prayed and we prayed 🙏 thru the wind and the flood water in our house 🏠
    View all comments
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News

    Comments / 0