Jumpin' Jesus: Snowstorm turns Newfoundland man into local celebrity

Friday, April 4, 2014, 4:44 PM -

It's a short video, but it was enough to turn this Newfoundland man into an international sensation.

The video was uploaded to YouTube after a powerful spring storm dumped 40 cm of snow on the St. John's area this week.

Not only did this latest round of wintry weather lead to power outages, schools closures and travel chaos, it also left many residents like Barry Horlick stuck digging out.

This week's storm helped snow banks quickly climb even higher after the record breaking winter its been, and even left some residents completely snowed in.

Friend sent this picture from Mount Pearl NL this morning....enough with the snow @jeffhutcheson @CTVCanadaAM pic.twitter.com/TpMwxdhNpO

— Anne Louise (@AnneLouiseC) April 1, 2014

The video shows Barry trying to open his door in the Shea Heights neighbourhood, only to find a massive pile of snow blocking him from getting out.

SEE ALSO: Canada claims top spot for worst March weather...again

You can't help but smile when you hear the dialogue between him and his mother Maureen, especially with the accents and Newfoundland charm.

"I'm stuck," Barry yelled out as he tried to get through the snow on his doorstep, prompting a back and forth banter with him and his mom.

Maureen, can be heard uttering "Jumpin' Jesus tonight," a popular Newfoundland expression as Barry confronts the snow wall.

Family members say the video was only meant for entertainment among themselves and close friends, but the YouTube video has attracted media attention in the U.S. and U.K as well.

The video has already picked up 270,000 views since it was posted and has also been shared on the Ellen DeGeneres show Facebook page.

With files from CBC