Florida Man Nicknamed ‘Lieutenant Dan’ Defies Evacuation Orders, Stays on Boat as Hurricane Milton Nears

At a press conference on Wednesday, Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa gave some positive news.
This morning, Lieutenant Dan was saved by the Tampa Police Department. Now that he has been saved, he is secure at a shelter. We can convince anyone to visit a shelter if we can persuade Lieutenant Dan to do so.
Residents in Florida were running out of time as Hurricane Milton made its way toward the Gulf Coast earlier. Some chose or had to stay behind while the majority fled.

A guy who went by the name “Lieutenant Dan” gained notoriety online for refusing to move his 20-foot boat that was moored in Tampa Bay.

“It goes up with the water because I’m in a boat, but the water will still rise.” The man, identified only as Joe Sea, declared, “It’s really the safest place to be.”

Since staying on his boat during Hurricane Helene in late September, Lieutenant Dan has been followed on TikToker by a user going by the name Tampa Terrence. But now that Hurricane Milton is stronger, supporters are concerned about his safety.

Terrence attempted to persuade Lieutenant Dan to get off his boat and find shelter on multiple occasions, but Joe refused. All he had was his boat, which he wished to shield from the storm.

He was also contacted by local police who provided him with information regarding shelters, but his decision remained unchanged. Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel was unable to convince him either.
Lieutenant Dan said to Cantore, “I know God didn’t bring me this far for something to happen to me.”
He felt secure having made it through Hurricane Helene. “I’ll be alright, unless this becomes like The Wizard of Oz and I end up in Kansas.”
Lieutenant Dan had made up his mind to remain on his boat as of October 8.
Many were worried, thinking he would decide at the last minute to take cover. Fortunately, he was saved in time by the authorities.