Joseph Malinowski, a one-legged man from Florida known online as Lieutenant Dan, has gained attention for defying evacuation orders during Hurricane Milton.

Despite warnings from Tampa Bay officials, including Mayor Jane Castor, Malinowski decided to ride out the storm on his sailboat. He shared his experience on TikTok, telling his followers that his boat was safe in the 120 mph winds and that he had enough supplies to last for weeks. “I didn’t even spill my coffee,” he remarked confidently.

During the storm, Malinowski was interviewed by NewsNation reporter Brian Entin, where he poked his head out of the boat and assured Entin that he was doing “fine” despite the worsening conditions. Later that night, he spoke to Fox 13 reporter Kevin O’Donnell and told him, “The water’s gone,” as he watched the water recede off Bayshore Boulevard. He then asked if the bay water would return.

Throughout the night, Malinowski posted updates on social media, describing the winds as similar to a “5 mile per hour tail gust” and expressing his belief in his safety after a conversation with God.

Malinowski, who lost his leg in a car accident at age 16, was nicknamed Lieutenant Dan by fans, based on the character from “Forrest Gump.” His decision to remain on his boat during the hurricane prompted supporters to raise over $33,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to help him purchase a new vessel.

As Hurricane Milton weakened to a Category 1 storm, it continued to cause widespread destruction across Florida. The storm spawned at least 19 tornadoes, destroyed mobile homes and left more than two million people without power. The storm’s winds even ripped off the roof of Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite the downgrade, the National Hurricane Center warned of ongoing dangers, including flash floods and dangerous storm surges in Central Florida.