Joseph Malinowski, a Florida man nicknamed “Lieutenant Dan,” has been spotted safe after refusing to leave his boat during Hurricane Milton. As the storm made landfall with winds up to 120 mph, Malinowski, who lost a leg in a previous accident, gained online attention for stubbornly staying aboard his sailboat in Tampa Bay. He claimed, “God told [him] to come out here and get a boat,” believing it was the safest place to be.
Despite authorities urging him to evacuate, Malinowski stuck to his decision, prompting fans on social media to anxiously await updates about his safety. A reporter, Brian Entin, shared a video confirming that Malinowski had survived. Entin called out to him near his docked boat, and Malinowski casually responded, “I’m fine… I’m stuck here, I can’t go anywhere.”
Fans of “Lieutenant Dan” joked about how the storm hadn’t fazed him, with many relieved by the news. Some followers even admitted they had been checking their phones “every hour for a Lieutenant Dan update,” happy to learn that the viral figure had survived the powerful hurricane.
Lieutenant Dan is okay! pic.twitter.com/0uthxRigRT
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) October 10, 2024
Ahead of Hurricane Milton, which caused massive destruction across Florida and left millions without power, officials had repeatedly warned residents like Malinowski to evacuate. However, his refusal to budge from his boat became an internet sensation, showing his determination to face the storm head-on.
As the storm passes, Malinowski’s story adds to the tales of resilience emerging from Florida, with “Lieutenant Dan” becoming a symbol of defiance in the face of nature’s fury.
