Watch: Mermaid Takes On Tropical Storm Colin's Floodwaters

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Residents of St. Petersburg’s Shore Acres neighborhood might have thought they’d stumbled into a remake of “The Little Mermaid” on Monday. After all, those who looked out their windows as floodwaters rose may have noticed a rare sight indeed.

It seems a “mermaid” from the neighborhood just couldn’t resist the high waters left on local streets courtesy of Tropical Storm Colin’s pass through the area. Hoping to take a break from being a fish out of water, “Mermaid Erin” dove in just in time to wave at city workers out assessing damage.

“Tropical Storm Colin sure has made waves here in St. Petersburg, FL,” MerNation, a Tampa-based company that specializes in “all things mermaid,” according to its website, posted on its Facebook page. “Good thing Saint Petersburg, Florida Water management is here to save the day! Throw the mermaid back in the sea.”

As for why the “mermaid” was out in the flood, MerNation explained.

“Washed up in Shore Acres Neighborhood with no power and severe flooding, what’s a mermaid to do?”

MerNation crafts custom silicone tails for mermaid fans across the globe.

“Mermaid Erin,” also known as Erin Gallagher, is the company’s co-owner, along with Michael Sistrunk. It seems Gallagher was working in MerNation’s home studio on Monday when the storm’s effects began to be felt.

“We lost power and couldn’t continue painting the tails, so what else is there to do when you have a garage full of mermaid tails?” Gallagher told Patch. “(We) thought it would make for a funny picture and bring some smiles to our neighborhood.”

So, that’s exactly what they did.

In addition to custom mermaid tails, MerNation also has a team of professional mermaids available for parties and other special events, Gallagher said.

Tropical Storm Colin ripped through the Tampa Bay area Monday. Although the storm did not make a direct hit on the region, it dumped plenty of water as it passed. Flooding was reported not only along Pinellas County’s coastal areas but also in Sarasota, Hillsborough, Manatee and Pasco counties.

A flood watch remained in place in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday. Forecasters at the National Weather Service anticipate heavy rain Wednesday afternoon and evening following by more rain chances Thursday and Friday.

To find out more about MerNation, visit the company’s website or Facebook page.

Photos and video of Mermaid Erin courtesy of MerNation

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