Onlookers eager to get a glimpse of the power of Hurricane Erin in North Wildwood, New Jersey, were quick to regret their decisions. As the storm surged ashore, waves reaching 15 feet crashed against the crowded boardwalk. Despite a hurricane watch in effect, you’d think it was just a typical stormy day at Wildwood. The video went viral, and viewers were not impressed with how many people ignored storm safety guidelines.
The TikTok, which has already exceeded 40,000 views, shows kids and adults gathered on Wildwood’s boardwalk. With only a narrow barrier between them, 15-foot storm surges, and riptides, it’s a miracle everyone held on. As Hurricane Erin’s waves smash into the concrete wall, people scatter, clinging to metal railings to avoid losing their footing. In the background, you can hear onlookers laughing and screaming. “Why are they acting like it’s a water park?” one user, MG, comments. Another echoes the same thought, saying, “Why are we playing in dangerous conditions?”
It’s not unusual for locals and tourists to head down to the water during storms of this magnitude. Each hurricane season, there are countless numbers of people looking for the best wave to surf, Instagram photo, or TikTok video. Unfortunately, safety is often the furthest thing from their minds. A surge of 15 feet at an iconic tourist destination might present as the perfect photo opportunity. But it’s also a great way to be swept out to sea, as many TikTok users noted.
“This generation is so unserious,” says one user. Another remarked on how this behavior puts rescue teams in danger, saying, “As a mother, neither my child or myself are anywhere near this. All these parents flat-out ignoring the warnings. Not to mention now potentially needing to call out first responders, because ‘this looks fun.'” However, the top comment echoes mistakes of the past, recalling the Jersey Shore’s most recent devastating hurricane. “Y’all weren’t there when Hurricane Sandy happened, and IT SHOWS,” says user Janeendresen.
