St. Pete doctor goes viral on TikTok for teaching 'Flooding 101'

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – From doctor to family doctor.

Meaghan Martin, a local pediatric emergency room doctor, is going viral on TikTok again.

Her health tips have gone viral in the past, as has her quintessential “Florida” commute after Hurricane Debby, when she used an inflatable paddleboard to avoid the water in her flooded neighborhood.

This time she's going viral because she's sharing tips on a topic she unfortunately knows a lot about: what to do in your home after a flood.

@beachgem10 So your house is flooded… been there. Let's talk about the next steps. Submit the insurance claim as soon as possible. Document everything. Take videos and photos of EVERYTHING. Several images. Measure water pipes with a tape measure. Call renovation and construction companies and find an apartment. Take a deep breath. We will get through this ❤️ #Flood #Florida #Storm #Hack #Water ♬ Original sound – Beachgem10

Their home in Shore Acres in St. Pete was flooded after Eta, Idalia and now Helene.

“We got to about three feet,” Martin said. “That was by far the worst. We haven’t seen anything like this in the past.”

Her current TikToks cover topics like drywall removal, mold prevention, documenting damage, and protecting yourself and others.

@beachgem10 After a flood, it is important to drain your home as quickly as possible to prevent mold growth. Get the wet stuff out and then bring in the fans and dehumidifiers. #Flood #Florida #Hurricane #Helene #Schimmel ♬ Original sound – Beachgem10

“You can protect unsuspecting Facebook Marketplace buyers by destroying your stuff because the pickers will take it and put it online to sell to other people,” she explained in a video.

The tips are self-evident to some, but not all, after Helene flooded homes that had never flooded before.

“The videos get a lot of views. “The people in the comments are very positive and helpful, and it looks like a lot of people are spreading the word to other people who experienced the flooding,” Martin said.

Whether in the emergency room or on TikTok, Dr. Martin just wants to help.

On TikTok she goes by the handle @beachgem10. On Instagram it is @dr.beachgem10.

@beachgem10 Flood friends: DO NOT wait to cut drywall. Take photos, measure the water pipes and remove the water before it becomes moldy. If it takes longer, use a hammer to make holes so it can dry better. Electricity, water and sockets or switchboards can be dangerous and cause fires. Replace wet outlets and flooded appliances. Make sure you document everything. Brands, serial numbers, sizes for insurance. If you don't document it, you can't get paid for it #Helene #flood #house #florida ♬ Original sound – Beachgem10