Lieutenant Dan

2024 - 10 - 10

How Florida's 'Lieutenant Dan' Became a Hurricane Hero (Or Just a Very Lucky Guy)

Florida - Forrest Gump - Hurricane Milton - Joe Malinowski - Lieutenant Dan - Tampa Bay - TikTok - viral news

Meet Lieutenant Dan, the TikTok sensation who braved Hurricane Milton like a true sailor – coffee intact and all! 🌊☕️

In a move that defied all sense of caution, Joe Malinowski, affectionately known as "Lieutenant Dan" on TikTok, found himself sailing through the madness of Hurricane Milton in Tampa Bay. Despite warnings from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor urging residents to evacuate, Dan decided that his trusty 20-foot sailboat was the safest vessel for the storm. He reassured his followers that he was just fine, claiming he hadn’t even spilled his morning coffee as 120mph winds battered the region. Talk about staying calm under pressure!

Joe's decision quickly went viral as netizens watched with bated breath, cheering him on from the safety of dry land as he posted updates. "I just figured it was safer here than on land," Dan explained in one of his clips, matching the storm's ferocity with a healthy dose of his own humor. His adventurous spirit and unwavering resolve made him a folk hero, as he surfed the waves with hashtag #HurricaneDan trending on TikTok. At a time when many were fleeing for safety, the self-proclaimed captain was living the sailor's dream, albeit under the backdrop of a serious hurricane.

Once the storm passed, journalists flocked to Dan’s boat, hoping to hear firsthand how he braved the tempest. “I’m fine!” he said with a grin, flashing his coffee cup as proof of his survival skills. While other locals were still reeling from high winds and flooding, Joe felt like he had just finished a normal day on the docks. His laid-back demeanor in the wake of such chaos has made him a local legend, turning him into the unexpected face of resilience in the face of natural disasters.

But is Lieutenant Dan more than just a lucky sailor with a charismatic personality? Historically, Tampa Bay has weathered its share of storms, with Hurricane Andrew in 1992 proving to be one of the most devastating. Much like Lieutenant Dan, the locals have learned that sometimes you just have to weather the storm—ironically or otherwise. So remember, while Joe is out there sailing and sipping coffee, the next time hurricane warnings blast, having a good evacuation plan might just be your best bet!

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Image courtesy of "Hindustan Times"

How Florida's 'Lieutenant Dan' survived Hurricane Milton in his ... (Hindustan Times)

Despite Tampa Mayor Jane Castor's grave evacuation warning to residents ahead of Hurricane Milton, Florida's 'Lieutenant Dan' refused to evacuate.

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

Hurricane Milton: TikTok star Lieutenant Dan vows to not evacuate ... (Sky News)

Joe Malinowski went viral on social media in recent days as he went against advice from experts and officials, and decided to stay in his boat, ...

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Image courtesy of "Newsweek"

"Lieutenant Dan" survives Hurricane Milton (Newsweek)

TikTok user "Lieutenant Dan" has survived Hurricane Milton's landfall after refusing to evacuate his boat in Tampa Bay, Florida.

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo News UK"

Lieutenant Dan: Florida man rides out deadly Hurricane Milton on ... (Yahoo News UK)

Joseph Malinowski refused to leave his boat - telling followers he hadn't even spilled his coffee amid 120mph winds.

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Image courtesy of "The Irish Sun"

Meet Lieutenant Dan AKA Joe Malinowski: Tampa man who refused ... (The Irish Sun)

A TAMPA man has gone viral on TikTok after he refused to leave his boat during the Hurricane Milton evacuation.Nicknamed Lieutenant Dan, Joe Malinowsk.

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Image courtesy of "The indy100"

TikTok star 'Lieutenant Dan' refuses to leave Florida amid Hurricane ... (The indy100)

Joe Malinowski, whose nickname comes from the amputee Forrest Gump character played by Gary Sinise, decided to go against crucial advice from experts and ...

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Image courtesy of "Daily Star"

Lieutenant Dan's condition after refusing to leave boat during ... (Daily Star)

Joe Malinowski - better known as his online moniker 'Lieutenant Dan' - was checked up on by local reporter on his Tampa Bay boat after the weather eased as ...

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Image courtesy of "PEOPLE.com"

Viral Florida Man 'Lt. Dan' Is Safe After Riding Out Hurricane Milton ... (PEOPLE.com)

A viral Florida man nicknamed 'Lieutenant Dan' is safe after he rode out Hurricane Milton in his 20-foot sailboat. Journalists spoke to the man, ...

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Image courtesy of "WFLA"

'I'm fine': Tampa's 'Lt. Dan' survives Milton on his boat (WFLA)

A Tampa man who goes by the nickname "Lt. Dan" and went viral across social media for refusing to evacuate his boat ahead of Milton has survived the storm.

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Image courtesy of "Irish Mirror"

'Lieutenant Dan' survives Hurricane Milton on his boat after refusing ... (Irish Mirror)

Joseph Malinowski, who was given the nickname 'Lieutenant Dan' after the character in Forrest Gump, decided to ride out Hurricane Milton at sea in Tampa Bay ...

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Image courtesy of "NewsNation Now"

TikToker 'Lieutenant Dan' says he's riding out Milton on his boat (NewsNation Now)

Despite concern from local officials, news crews and social media, TikToker “Lieutenant Dan” says he's staying put on his boat as Hurricane Milton barrels ...

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Image courtesy of "Evening Standard"

Lieutenant Dan: 'I made it through unscathed', says Florida man who ... (Evening Standard)

Joseph Malinowski refused to leave his boat - telling followers he hadn't even spilled his coffee amid 120mph winds.

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Image courtesy of "Metro"

'Lieutenant Dan' refuses to leave boat during Hurricane Milton - and ... (Metro)

One-legged Florida Man and TikTok sensation nicknamed 'Lt Dan' defied the odds and bested Hurricane Milton, in his boat in Tampa.

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

Who is TikTok sensation Lt. Dan? The tattooed sailor is safe: 'Wasn't ... (USA TODAY)

Fans gathered to check on Lt. Dan, real name Joe Malinowski, to see if he weathered Hurricane Milton on his 22-foot sailboat.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

Who Is 'Lieutenant Dan'? Tampa Man Refused To Leave Boat ... (Forbes)

Popular streamer Adin Ross said Wednesday night he would purchase a new, $100000 boat for the Florida man who refused to leave his vessel during two ...

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

'Lt Dan' is safe after refusing to leave his boat amid Hurricane Milton (The Independent)

Lt. Dan was originally rescued and taken to a shelter before leaving to head back to his boat.

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Image courtesy of "E! Online"

Meet TikToker Lt. Dan: The Man Riding Out Hurricane Milton on His ... (E! Online)

Joseph Malinowski, who goes by Lieutenant Dan on TikTok after the Forrest Gump character, decided to weather Hurricane Milton in a boat on the water in ...

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Image courtesy of "Sunday World"

Florida man 'Lieutenant Dan' who refused to leave his boat survives ... (Sunday World)

Joseph Malinowski, who is named after the character played by actor Gary Sinise in the 1994 hit movie Forrest Gump, rode out the hurricane in his 20-foot ...

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

'Lieutenant Dan' survives Hurricane Milton in sailboat in Tampa (NBC News)

TAMPA, Fla. — 54-year-old Joseph Malinowski, who has been dubbed “Lieutenant Dan” on social media, has survived record-breaking Hurricane Milton on his ...

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Florida resident "Lieutenant Dan" recounts riding out Hurricane ... (CBS News)

Joseph Malinowski, known as "Lieutenant Dan," told CBS News that he wasn't afraid of Hurricane Milton, despite his boat being slammed into a wall.

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Image courtesy of "Sunday World"

Florida man 'Lieutenant Dan' who refused to leave his boat survives ... (Sunday World)

Joseph Malinowski, who is named after the character played by actor Gary Sinise in the 1994 hit movie Forrest Gump, rode out the hurricane in his 20-foot ...

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