Viral TikTok sensation Lieutenant Dan, whose actual identify is Joe Malinowski, garnered concern after making it recognized that he had no plans to depart his 22-foot sailboat regardless of being parked in Hurricane Milton’s path in Tampa Bay, Florida.

“Proper now, I’m ready for the storm surge to return in to lift the boat up,” Lieutenant Dan calmly defined in a Wednesday, October 9, TikTok posted the identical day that Milton made landfall close to Siesta Key in Sarasota County, about 65 miles from Tampa. “The boat’s gonna go up, and I’ll go up with it, and when the water goes out, I’ll come again down once more.”

Lieutenant Dan’s choice to “experience out” the storm on his boat got here after the Nationwide Hurricane Heart cautioned that Milton’s storm surge might inundate Tampa with 10-15 ft of water. Tampa mayor Jane Castor warned that individuals who didn’t go away necessary evacuation zones had been “going to die” throughout an look on CNN. Lieutenant Dan, nonetheless, made it via in a single piece.

“I’m superb,” he instructed a reporter from NewsNation after the storm hit, per CBS information.

Hold scrolling for the whole lot to know in regards to the unlikely TikTok star Lieutenant Dan:

Why Didn’t Lieutenant Dan Evacuate?

The tattooed mariner defined his choice to remain put in a Tuesday, October 8, video shared by TikToker Terrence Concannon, also referred to as Tampa Terrence.

“I put my religion in God. I don’t put my religion in man,” Dan mentioned. “God instructed me to return out right here and get a ship. I got here out right here and received a ship. Every part he’s been telling me the previous couple of days, I’m doing the precise factor. He received my again. I’m in good condition. I ain’t sweating it.”

Lieutenant Dan’s choice apprehensive these following his story on-line as Milton’s predicted storm surge, which refers to an increase within the seawater degree brought on by a storm, was as excessive as 15 ft for Tampa. That mixed with wind gusts of as much as 120 mph made Dan’s followers nervous for him.

Nevertheless, after the storm, Nationwide Climate Service meteorologist Tyler Fleming instructed USA At present that Tampa as an alternative skilled a reverse surge that drove water away from the shoreline.

Lieutenant Dan beforehand spent Hurricane Helene hunkered down on his boat in September 2024.

Why Was Lieutenant Dan Allowed to Keep On His Sailboat Throughout Hurricane Milton?

On October 8, Tampa Terrence shared footage of the Chief of Tampa Police telling Lieutenant Dan that the evacuation order wasn’t “voluntary” and regulation enforcement officers could be again to escort him off his boat if he didn’t go away. Mayor Castor mentioned throughout an October 9 press convention that Lieutenant Dan had been delivered to a shelter, WFLA reported. Nevertheless, he returned to his boat later that day.

“Dan shouldn’t be leaving the boat for the hurricane. He’s staying on that boat. There’s been many makes an attempt to get him off this boat. Folks have provided homes, lodge rooms, flats, he won’t go away,” Terrence defined in an October 9 TikTok video.

How Did Lieutenant Dan Get His Nickname?

Lieutenant Dan’s nickname is a nod to the character of the identical identify from Forrest Gump, who can be a seafaring amputee. Whereas the fictional character performed by Gary Sinise misplaced his legs after being injured within the Vietnam Conflict, the real-life Lieutenant Dan had his left leg amputated under the knee when he was 16 following a automotive accident. He instructed the story in a TikTok video shared by Tampa Terrence on October 8.

Does Lieutenant Dan Have a Felony Historical past?

The Tampa information outlet WUFT reported on Monday, October 9, that Lieutenant Dan spent six months behind bars for allegedly punching a police officer and was arrested in 2023 over allegations that he tried to set a lady on hearth with gasoline. The outlet, which is a PBS member tv station, additionally reported that Lieutenant Dan has an October 2024 courtroom date in a dispute over whether or not his sailboat is legally his.

Does Lieutenant Dan Have a GofundMe?

Tampa Terrence arrange a GoFundMe web page for the colourful character final month, looking for funds to cowl Lieutenant Dan’s “daily dwelling bills” and “common livelihood.” He famous within the description that any cash raised would go towards boat repairs, groceries, “furnishings for the boat and perhaps even a health club membership.” The GoFundMe has raised over $39,000 thus far and has a $100,000 objective.