Something strange was happening in Tampa Bay.
As thousands of residents scrambled to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, one man remained unmoved, refusing to leave his small boat despite repeated warnings.
The internet quickly took notice, and soon, local officials and even The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore were trying to reason with him. Who was this stubborn mariner, and why was he so determined to ride out the storm at sea?
Update: Lieutenant Dan has been transported to a Tampa Bay shelter.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced the good news during a press conference on Wednesday…
Update: Lieutenant Dan Rescued and Taken to Tampa Bay Shelter
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor shared a positive update during a press conference on Wednesday, announcing that Lieutenant Dan had been safely transported to a shelter.
“The Tampa Police Department successfully rescued Lieutenant Dan this morning. He is now in a safe shelter. If we can get Lieutenant Dan to evacuate, then we can convince anyone to do the same,” the mayor stated.
Original Story:
As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, residents are running out of time to evacuate. While most Tampa locals have heeded the mayor’s orders and left the area, some have chosen to stay behind—either due to necessity or personal choice.
One man, known as “Lieutenant Dan,” has captured the attention of the internet, local officials, and even The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore for his firm refusal to leave his 20-foot boat docked in Tampa Bay.
“The water is going to rise. If you’re on land, there’s a risk of flooding and drowning. But I’m in a boat, so it rises with the water… honestly, it’s the safest place to be,” explained the man, who goes by Joe Sea.
A TikTok user named Tampa Terrence has been tracking Lieutenant Dan since he previously rode out Hurricane Helene in Tampa Bay in late September.
However, as Hurricane Milton threatens to be much stronger, many of his supporters—including those who affectionately refer to him by his nickname, inspired by the Forrest Gump character—are deeply concerned about his safety.
Terrence has made multiple attempts, through a series of videos, to convince Lieutenant Dan to seek shelter in a safer location, such as a house or hotel.
Despite the growing concerns, the seafarer remained steadfast in his decision, insisting that his boat was all he had and that he needed to protect it from the hurricane.
@terrenceconcannon Lot of people have been commenting this, so thought I would ask him. I have a hotel for him near the Tampa airport, but his is still hesitant on going. There have been many attempts from police to get him out of there, so hoping he makes the right decision and leaves 🙏
♬ original sound – Tampa Terrence
Even local law enforcement visited him, offering shelter options and urging him to evacuate. Not even Jim Cantore himself could persuade him to leave his boat behind.
“I believe that God didn’t bring me this far.. Just leave me, ”he told the well-known meteorologist of the weather channel.
Referring to his experience surviving Hurricane Helene added: “The more you go through, the more you learn. I’m sure I can do it-it won’t change in a magician of the OZ screenplay and I will end up in Kansas.”
He said with confidence, “I’ll be here. I’ll see you on Friday.”
From October 8, Lieutenant Dan still decided to stay aboard his ship. Many hoped to change their minds at the last minute and prefer its safety over his ship. Fortunately, the authorities were able to intervene and ensure that it came to safety before the worst storm arrived.
In the end, despite his steadfast determination to stay aboard his ship, Lieutenant Dan was safely rescued and taken to the shelter before Hurricane Milton got to Landfall. His story, which captivated social media users, local officials, and even meteorologists, serves as a reminder of the risks that come with defriending orders for evacuation.
While his confidence in his survival skills was admirable, his possible rescue emphasizes the importance of prioritizing security over property. Fortunately, Lieutenant Dan is now out of danger, which proves that even the most stubborn individuals may be convinced to seek refuge when it really matters.