As Hurricane Milton approached Florida’s Gulf Coast, it brought with it dire warnings of destruction, including a massive storm surge that could devastate the area, especially Tampa Bay. Residents were urged to evacuate as the storm threatened to become one of the worst Florida had faced in over a century. Despite this, one local figure, known as Lieutenant Dan, made the controversial decision to stay on his sailboat anchored in Tampa Bay, defying all evacuation orders.
Authorities repeatedly warned of the hurricane’s deadly potential, with Tampa’s Mayor Jane Castor issuing a stark statement: “If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die.” The projected storm surge of up to nine feet had many fleeing, but Lieutenant Dan, whose real name is Joseph Malinowski, refused to leave. Known to his 551,000 TikTok followers for his unconventional lifestyle, Malinowski became a focal point of concern as Hurricane Milton loomed.
In the final hours before the storm made landfall, Tampa police officers made several attempts to convince Malinowski to evacuate. At one point, he reportedly agreed but soon changed his mind, choosing to ride out the storm on his 20-foot sailboat. His decision was rooted in his faith. In a TikTok video, Malinowski explained, “God told me to come out here and get a boat… He’s got my back.” To him, the boat represented safety, and he remained confident despite the growing dangers.
@terrenceconcannon Lieutenant Dan is the man
As preparations for the storm continued, Malinowski’s story captivated his followers. One supporter, Terrence Concannon, even gave him a GoPro camera to document his experience during the hurricane. In a video titled “Lieutenant Dan’s last wish,” Concannon handed over the camera, solidifying Malinowski’s resolve to stay and capture his ordeal, much to the concern of his followers.
When Hurricane Milton hit, it brought torrential rains, fierce winds, and flash flooding to Tampa. Although the city avoided the worst-case scenario of a 15-foot storm surge, it still experienced devastating rainfall, with streets turning into rivers and over five months’ worth of rain falling in just a few hours. While some areas saw the waters temporarily recede, the storm’s surge soon returned, posing continued threats.
@terrenceconcannon @JoeSea on why he wont leave the boat
Throughout the storm, little was known about Malinowski’s condition. His boat remained anchored as the hurricane battered the coast, leaving many anxiously waiting for news. After the storm passed, updates began to trickle in, confirming that Malinowski had survived. Despite the extreme conditions, his faith in his decision to stay aboard his sailboat had carried him through the night.
@terrenceconcannon Lieutenant Dans last wish
In the end, Lieutenant Dan’s choice to ride out Hurricane Milton on his boat became a story of survival. While his defiance of evacuation orders and his faith-driven decision sparked debate, Malinowski emerged unscathed, much to the relief of his followers and the local community. As Florida assessed the damage from the hurricane, his survival was a bright spot amidst the devastation, proving that, against all odds, he lived to tell his tale.
