See it: Kentucky men go viral after burying minivan to use as storm shelter during severe weather
Hagan said he had bought a mini-excavator from Temu a few months before, and it was what they needed to bury a minivan in the dirt to use as a storm shelter.
"I think Buddy just wanted an excuse to use it more than anything," Hagan said. "We were impressed by what it would actually do."
"It was kind of a last-minute thought," Hagan said. "They were calling for severe weather that night, Tornado Warnings and stuff, so we said, 'Let's bury that van.'"
The van came from the car lot of Rolley's dad, where it had been used for parts. Hagan said it took them more than five hours to bury the van.
Mississippi Woman Survives Tornado By Hunkering In Closet
Hagan and Rolley, along with Rolley's wife and son, all took shelter in the dirt-covered van when they heard tornadoes were in the area.
Hagan said the group stayed in the van for about an hour and a half during the Tornado Warnings. They also stocked the van with drinks and snacks.
The van still had a battery, so they could operate the interior lights. They also left the antenna above the dirt so they could listen to weather alerts on the radio.
Tornado Safety: How To Identify The Safest Places Inside Your Home
He said they sent the photos of the van-turned-shelter to another family member, who posted them to TikTok.
"This was kind of just a wild idea we had," Hagan said. "We didn't plan on posting it."
The video went viral, capturing the attention of nearly 2 million people as of Monday afternoon.
Hagan said he and Rolley had to download TikTok to see the unexpected fame they'd achieved.
How To Watch Fox Weather
Hagan said the dirt was just a short-term solution, but he and Rolley plan to pour concrete around the van and create an entryway to the minivan's sliding door using railroad ties, so they can get in and out of it with more security from storms.Original article source: See it: Kentucky men go viral after burying minivan to use as storm shelter during severe weather
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tears As Retriever Left Outside for Almost 10 Years Reacts to Thunderstorm
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In a heartbreaking TikTok video, a dog who lived outside for about a decade reacts to hearing a thunderstorm outside of his new forever home, and internet users can't cope with what he does next. The clip, shared in July by @katiegetsto, shows the senior golden retriever hiding inside his mom's walk-in closet, taking shelter under her dressing table as a loud thunderstorm can be heard rumbling in the background. "Newly adopted golden hides during thunderstorm in walk in closet," reads layover text in the clip, as the poster joins the pup to comfort him. "We know that Mako was left outside most of his 10 years life so thunderstorms are particularly hard for him. Luckily he found his new moms happy place is always his too," the caption says. @katiegetsto We know that Mako was left outside most of his 10 years life so thunderstorms are particularly hard for him. Luckily he found his new moms happy place is always his too 🤍 #adopt #goldenretriever #dogsoftiktok #dogsofttiktok ♬ original sound - oxvtc While Mako is scared of thunderstorms because of his past abuse and neglect, many other pups can be afraid of them for different reasons. Dogs' fear of thunderstorms can originate from a mix of factors including noise aversion, separation anxiety, and static electricity buildup, according to Veterinary Specialists of the Rockies. Some dogs are genetically prone to noise phobias, especially breeds such as Border collies or Australian shepherds. Static electricity, which builds up during storms and can shock dogs when they touch metal, may be a major trigger—especially for larger or double-coated breeds. Many dogs also associate the loud noises, wind, and barometric pressure changes with fear. Separation anxiety can worsen storm-related stress, as canines may seek comfort in their owners. To help, owners can create a safe, grounded space for their pet, use white noise, or try products such as antistatic jackets. If the problem persists, then you should consult your veterinarian to find out the best solution for your pup. Stock image: A golden retriever hides under a fluffy blanket. Stock image: A golden retriever hides under a fluffy blanket. getty images The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 267,100 views and more than 56,000 likes on the platform. One user, Erinelizabish, commented: "This is the exact same situation with our senior dog we adopted, but he hides under the bed. These poor babies." Ashton Elizabeth wrote: "How do people just up leave these sweet angels like that? It breaks my heart." Kenzzz posted: "I just can't comprehend how someone could see that sweet face and not want to spoil and love them every single day of their life. I can't go 10 [minutes] without bothering my dog cause I miss him and he's literally at home [with] me." Newsweek reached out to @katiegetsto for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Feeling Anxious? It's Not Just You—The 'August Scaries' Are Very Real
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. August may be all sunshine, vacations, and long days—but, for many, it also brings a sense of end-of-summer dread. Across TikTok, people are sharing their thoughts on what has been dubbed the "August Scaries," a creeping sense of melancholy and anxiety that arrives as the season draws to a close. TikTok poster Regan Sweeney (@regansweeney) captured the feeling in a viral post that racked up more than 13,400 likes and over 72,000 views. "June is Friday. July is Saturday, and August is Sunday," she said. Sweeney said that June still feels busy with work and school—like the anticipation of Friday. July is "the most-perfect month of the year," just as, in her opinion, Saturday is the most-perfect day of the week. Stock image: A sad woman buries her head in her lap on the beach. Stock image: A sad woman buries her head in her lap on the beach. EyeEm Mobile GmbH/iStock / Getty Images Plus But then comes August. The weekend is technically still here, but the end is looming. Sweeney captioned the video: "August is the world's longest Sunday scary." The 'August Scaries' Take Over TikTok TikTok user @lmoneyy222 agreed, posting: "Chat, I'm getting the August scaries, I hate this feeling every year." Kaitlyn Gale (@kaitlyngale) shared a similar sentiment in a TikTok video, lamenting the month's bittersweetness. "August is like an entire month of Sunday scaries. The last month of 90C weather, going to the pool, one month to the sun setting at 5 p.m., one month closer to seasonal depression kicking in. It makes me violently ill to think about summer ending," Gale added. Others chimed in with their own takes in the comments. "September is Monday, October is Friday, and November is Thursday. I don't make the rules, I just follow them," posted one user. "Early June is like early Friday morning and middle June is 3 p.m. Friday and end of June is Friday night," commented Madi. "No because August feels like Sunday night but yet December feels like Sunday morning?" wrote Gracie. "I was saying this to my mum. August every year I feel so flighty!" one user added. Why August Feels So Heavy Ingrid Radford, a clinical hypnotherapist and mental-health first-aid champion, told Newsweek that our brains are wired to prefer predictability. "When our routines shift, such as at the end of summer holidays, the start of a new school term, or a return to a busier work schedule, our brain's threat detector, the amygdala, may decide to sound the alarm and mark these changes as potential danger," Radford said. This can lead to anxiety, overthinking, and a quiet grief for summer's end. Joseph Conway, psychotherapist and workplace mental-health trainer at Vita Health Group, told Newsweek that even positive changes can feel mentally taxing. "In the workplace, this late-summer transition can create a double whammy. For many, the 'August Scaries' mean the holiday headspace is colliding with the reality of inboxes, deadlines, and commutes," Conway said. He recommends easing back into routines with short bursts of work and intentional breaks, plus simple personal rituals—such as taking the long route home after school drop-off—to smooth the shift. Dr. Hannah Nearney, a clinical psychiatrist and medical director at Flow Neuroscience, told Newsweek the August Scaries are "stress forecasting." "Neurologically, there's a tug-of-war between the prefrontal cortex, which plans and regulates, and the amygdala, which scans for threats. You can think of it this way: in August, the amygdala comes back from vacation, too, and often wins; not because there's danger, but because the brain interprets upcoming demands as risk," Nearney said. "It's the same circuitry that made our ancestors restless before a harsh season; only now the 'fall' or 'winter' we're bracing for is meetings, school runs, and deadlines," she said. Nearney suggested gradual reintroduction of structure before September hits, maintaining at least one spontaneous activity, and, for more-severe seasonal mood dips, considering noninvasive brain stimulation therapies. Leslie Davenport, climate psychology educator and therapist, added that August blends the pressure of transition with the loss of summer's ease. "The first step is to understand that it's normal. To acknowledge that this is happening, maybe even remember that you've been through this before and it's temporary, begins to ease the tension. It also doesn't need to be seen as a final end to enjoyment and adventure," Davenport said. Planning small joys in early fall—like a weekend getaway or embracing fall traditions—can reframe the experience from dread to anticipation. Adina Babad, a licensed mental-health counselor, told Newsweek that seasonal transitions can stir up existential feelings because they mark the passing of time. "Summer especially is associated for many of us with freedom, whether because, growing up, we always had summer breaks and now associate summer with that free time, or because we get more daylight, which often positively impacts our mood," Babad said. She recommended reflecting on summer's highlights, listing things to look forward to in the coming months, and actively planning events or activities that bring joy and connection. Beating the August Blues Experts agree that the key to tackling the August Scaries is preparation. That means: Plan ahead for enjoyable activities well into fall. for enjoyable activities well into fall. Reintroduce routine gradually before summer officially ends. before summer officially ends. Preserve some spontaneity to offset the loss of freedom. to offset the loss of freedom. Acknowledge and normalize the feeling instead of resisting it. Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
Hurricane Erin remains an extremely dangerous Category 4 cyclone north of Caribbean
Hurricane Erin, the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, rapidly intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 5 cyclone as it stayed safely north of the Caribbean islands over the weekend. Shortly after Erin began rapid intensification into a major hurricane, Hurricane Hunters found that Erin had quickly strengthened. The hurricane's winds reached 160 mph, making it a Category 5 cyclone on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Advertisement Since reaching its peak, the hurricane weakened slightly into a Category 4 while undergoing some reorganization. Bands from the major hurricane impacted the northern Caribbean islands, where FOX Weather's Robert Ray rode out the storm. Rain totals of 2-4 inches are expected through Sunday, with isolated totals possibly reaching up to six inches throughout the Caribbean Islands. 'Locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides, are possible,' the National Hurricane Center said. Advertisement Additionally, a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the Turks and Caicos in the southeast Bahamas, with the main core of the hurricane expected to pass off to the north and east over the next 48 hours. 3 Hurricane Erin forms in the Atlantic Ocean on August 16, 2025 NOAA/AFP via Getty Images Erin was designated a tropical storm on Monday, after first being an area worth further investigation known as Invest 97L. Before even becoming a named system, Invest 97L brought heavy rain to the Cabo Verde islands, causing multiple deaths and major flooding damage. Until now, the 2025 season has produced four tropical storms – Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter – but no hurricanes. A look at what else is brewing in the tropics Advertisement In addition to Hurricane Erin, the NHC is also monitoring a region in parts of the eastern and central Atlantic development in the long term. If cyclone development were to happen, it would likely be more than a week away and stay far away from land through most of the remaining days of the month. 3 National Weather Service forecaster Wagner Rivera points to an image of Hurricane Erin in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on August 16, 2025. Orlando Barria/EPA/Shutterstock 3 A ripped red flag warning of rip current waves as Hurricane Erin approached San Juan, Puerto Rico as a Category 5 storm on August 16, 2025. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement The next tropical storm will be named Fernand – the sixth name of the season. The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season occurs on Sept. 10, with the season coming to a close by the end of November
