During Hurricane Milton’s wrath, a Tampa man refused evacuation instructions, grabbing the attention of millions online. Joseph Malinowski, also known locally and on social media as “Lieutenant Dan,” refused to leave his small sailboat in Tampa Bay during Hurricane Milton’s wrath.
Despite cautions, Malinowski persisted, generating comparisons to his namesake in ”Forrest Gump”. The one-legged man, who lost a limb in a car accident when he was 16, claimed his boat was the safest place to be during the storm.
Social media personality ””Tampa Terrence”” (actual name ””Concannon””) captured Malinowski’s determination. Having previously documented his opinion during Hurricane Helene, Concannon launched a ””GoFundMe”” campaign that generated more than ””$37,000”’.
Malinowski aimed to use the money to buy a new boat, garnering support from thousands of people online. Concannon also offered him a hotel room, but Malinowski declined, opting to stay onboard.
Malinowski expressed his faith, saying, “God told me to come out here and get a boat.” He likened his situation to Noah’s Ark and declared, “The safest place to be is on a boat in a flood.”
Authorities, including Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, made multiple attempts to persuade Malinowski to leave. They pointed out the hazards posed by the approaching cyclone, but Malinowski rejected their worries.
“We learnt that with Noah. Everyone who remained on shore drowned. “Noah and the animals survived,” he explained. As the winds increased, he stayed strong, convinced that his boat’s anchor would hold.
Police, emergency responders, and even civilians joined Malinowski in their appeal as ”’120mph winds”’ swept across Florida’s shoreline.However, the man, who had been living on his boat for years, insisted that he was secure.
Brian Entin, a correspondent with ””NewsNation””, also paid him a visit. He detailed his attempts to contact Malinowski before and after the hurricane, providing updates to his expanding audience.
Entin’s footage depicted authorities attempting to persuade Malinowski to leave. Malinowski replied angrily, “I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been through worse,” dismissing the officials’ pleas.
Videos of Malinowski went viral, eliciting both anxiety and adoration. “Lieutenant Dan is stressing me out more than Milton at this point,” one TikTok user wrote on ””Concannon’s”” post.
As the storm worsened, millions of people checked for updates on Malinowski’s condition. Concannon and others continued to share footage, and comments poured in, providing encouragement and prayers.
Malinowski refused life jackets and safer shelter, steadfastly believing in his anchor. He remained aboard his boat, unfazed, even as flood warnings increased and officials issued repeated calls.
Finally, when Hurricane Milton passed, Entin returned to the docks late Wednesday night. He called out numerous times, capturing a moment that calmed his nervous listeners.
Malinowski appeared through the hatch of his sailboat and nonchalantly stated, “I’m fine.” Despite being buffeted by the storm, his boat remained afloat, exactly as he anticipated.
“Right now, I’m doing fine. I’m stuck here; I can’t go anywhere,” he added, demonstrating his fortitude. Against all chances, Malinowski had survived Hurricane Milton’s devastation.
His trek, witnessed by millions, established his reputation as a local legend. Viewers who observed his determination hailed him as a true Tampa icon.
Feature Image Credit: (TikTok/@terrenceconcannon)
