Man Tries To Outsmart Neighbors With 'Extreme Precautions', Doesn't Pay Off
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.
A man in Portland thought he was the smartest guy in the neighborhood, after covering his car in cardboard to protect it from the heavy storm being forecast.
But TV and video game creator, Sean Parker, couldn't help but notice that while he was preparing for the worst, all of his neighbors had left their vehicles exposed to the elements. "I was the only one on my block," Parker told Newsweek. "A bunch of other people across Portland did similar things though."
Parker recalls getting a few unusual looks from his neighbors. "Although some were amused when they saw me putting it up. I think I concerned a few into thinking that they ought to do the same," he said.
Sean Parker covered his car with cardboard ahead of what was expected to be a huge storm.
Sean Parker covered his car with cardboard ahead of what was expected to be a huge storm.
Reddit/Sir_Hapstance
Parker was right to exercise caution. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information's 2024 Billion-dollar disaster analysis, there were 27 individual weather and climate disasters in the US in 2024. Those disasters resulted in at least $1 billion in damages
Parker's biggest concern was the idea of Portland being hit by a hail storm. Within the past month there have been several instances of US states coming under fire from dangerous hail storms, while in previous years there have been reports of hail the size of apples.
Read more
Americans share the wildest notes they've received from neighbors
Americans share the wildest notes they've received from neighbors
In June last year, dramatic footage surfaced of America's second-largest reservoir, Lake Powell, being pummeled by hail stones. Earlier this month, communities across Texas and the Ohio Valley were warned about a spring storm bringing with it the threat of golf ball-sized hail.
With forecasts suggesting a storm was approaching Portland, Parker felt covering his windscreen and windows with cardboard was a sensible move.
"Extreme weather was forecasted, and some of us Portlanders took extreme precautions," he said. However, when no major storm front appeared, Parker admits he was left feeling a little "silly."
Portland ended up being the eye of the storm. So while there was significant storm damage outside of Portland, the city itself escaped with fairly ordinary weather conditions. "The weather was extremely mild, just the lightest drizzle," Parker said. "Comically mild."
Parker was still able to see the funny side though, posting a picture of his boarded up car to Reddit under the handle u/Sir_Hapstance, where it amassed more than 3,000 upvotes since being shared last month. "Thank goodness I did this! I look so smart, especially since none of my neighbors did this," he wrote sarcastically alongside the photo.
Though his actions may have ended up being a source of much amusement to many online, Parker has "no regrets" about taking the precautions he did.
"If another forecast of golf ball-sized hail comes around, I'd do it all again," he said. "It's too expensive to risk replacing windshields and other damage."
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