CNN’s live coverage of Hurricane Idalia was interrupted by a rubber duck. Seriously.
Meteorologist Derek Van Dam was doing a live shot in Tampa Wednesday morning, standing in the middle of a 1-2 foot storm surge when two men casually sailed by on an inflatable camouflage duck – one of the men was paddling with a set of oars and the other appeared to be wearing a pirate’s hat.
“So we’re going to step away from this — the seriousness of this storm for just one second,” Van Dam said, as the unique floating device approached. “You’ve got to bear with me because this is something you don’t see every day.”
Social media saw the incident as yet another “Florida man” moment, but others saw it as a clear win for the mischievous men.
Florida Man strikes again pic.twitter.com/uBcKuVy1i4
— Brendon Leslie (@BrendonLeslie) August 30, 2023
The meteorologist went so far as to try to interview the men which only made it all the more hilarious.
“Guys — guys what are you doing? This is a very new way to beat rush hour traffic on Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa,” Van Dam said. “These guys are kayaking down this major thoroughfare. Tampa, over my shoulder here. I mean, look at that. I don’t want to minimize the serious nature of the storm, but this is what people are dealing with.”
Hurricane Idalia slammed Florida’s Big Bend coast early Wednesday morning with maximum sustained winds of more than 100 miles per hour, bringing with it catastrophic flooding. Tampa Bay escaped a direct hit, but there was some flooding.
Either way, “Florida man” was a hit… here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story from X:
Absolute legend
— Mr. Alare (@Alare_Bems) August 30, 2023
Can’t take it that seriously when two guys come paddling by on a rubber ducky float
— (@courtneyknill) August 30, 2023
A+ on form
— PhotographicFloridian (@JackLinFLL) August 30, 2023
Mock @CNN without impunity.
— Tom Royce (@TomRoyce) August 30, 2023
My favorite part is they come into the shot right as he’s saying “the seriousness of this storm.”
— Patrick (@PhillyPMC) August 30, 2023
Oh…my…god… climate change caused them to be in that exact spot at that exact second.
— Matt G (@MattyGee1975) August 30, 2023
As a Floridian, I love our Florida Man (whoever it may be at any given moment).
— must.coffee (@AverageDeplora2) August 30, 2023
— Doochebag (@everyone_fights) August 30, 2023
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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