Sand whirlwind surprises elderly man, but he remains seated and becomes a meme.

A video recorded on October 11th in Picos, Piauí, went viral on social media for showing an 80-year-old man remaining seated in his chair as a sand whirlwind passed around him. The man, identified as José Borges, known as Zezé, was resting in the shade of a tree after lunch when he was surprised by the phenomenon.

In a later interview, Zezé explained that he decided not to stand up for fear of being carried away by the wind. The whirlwind was strong enough to rip the lid off a neighbor's water tank. After the phenomenon passed, the elderly man, covered in dust, stood up and went to take a shower. The video, recorded by his nephew Diobson Gonçalves, surpassed one million views.

Sand whirlwinds are common meteorological phenomena in hot and dry regions, such as the interior of the Brazilian Northeast. They form when air near the ground heats up significantly and rises rapidly, creating a spinning column that can lift dust, sand, and small debris. Despite their impressive appearance, they are usually short-lived and of moderate intensity, but can cause localized damage.

José Borges, the protagonist of the video, is an 80-year-old retiree who worked most of his life as a bricklayer, carpenter, and residential installer. Known for his calm personality, he maintains the habit of resting under a tree after lunch. The situation went viral not only because of the unusual scene but also due to the elderly man's serene reaction in the face of a potentially frightening natural event. The Civil Defense of Piauí warns that during sand whirlwinds, it is important to seek shelter to avoid injuries caused by debris thrown by the wind.