Woman Stuck in Hurricane Ian Using ‘Floaty Pool’ in Living Room Goes Viral

A video about the impact of Hurricane Ian simply titled “Send Help” has been viewed more than 40 million times with five million likes.

Hurricane Ian battered Florida on Wednesday and Thursday, leaving millions of people stranded and without power and burying entire communities across the Florida peninsula. Winds blew up to 150 miles per hour and brought 12-foot waves.

In the video, which has been shared 295,000 times, TikTok user films Beth from inside her house and shows her swimming in a children’s inflatable pool while the contents of her living room bounce around her. You can see the wind whipping leaves past the house as the water sloshes against the window.

Beth is heard saying, “I have to say, if you’ve ever swum in a floating pool in your own living room with your refrigerator…” and then she seems to say, “At your door.”

Many users asked for an update on Beth’s wellbeing and urged her to stay safe. “Please let us know you’re okay,” Rene wrote, while TikToker Lauren posted, “Are you actually okay?”

According to PowerOutage.us, the Category 4 storm has reportedly caused $120 billion in damage and left 2.5 million people across Florida and Puerto Rico without power.

According to that San Juan Daily StarOfficials in Cuba said they were trying to restore power across the island after the storm hit Tuesday night that killed at least two people.

A follow-up video entitled “I’m Alive!!!” has been viewed 4.3 million times. Beth reveals the devastation outside her home. The winds seem to have calmed down a bit, but the water flows through the streets and covers the ground floors of the houses.

In a third video, entitled “NEED HELP, VERY COLD, we and Dark!”, Beth is in the dark and can be heard saying, “If you can see me now, I’m alive, help must come. Someone?”

Beth’s whereabouts are unclear, but the Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) issued a protective order for residents, ordering them to remain in their own homes rather than seek safety elsewhere.

More than 500 residents had been rescued by search teams in Lee and Charlotte counties as of Thursday afternoon, according to Florida DEM Twitter.

To ask why Beth hadn’t left, one user wrote: “Should have evacuated. Everyone had a lot of warnings,” while CoreyElise commented, “Some people don’t have the resources to evacuate. Kindness is everything in times like these.”

Jennifer Gunter wrote: “Holy hell. I hope You are fine. How traumatic,” while TikToker thelordskennelsNC posted, “Where are you? Can we call the Coast Guard and tell them where you are?”

Taco’s mom wrote, “Stay safe. This could endanger the structure of your house, please be careful!!!”

news week asked Beth for comment.