A one-legged Tampa Bay man went viral this week for saying he is going to ride out Hurricane Milton on his houseboat docked in the Tampa Harbor.
Joseph Malinowski, who locals nicknamed Lieutenant Dan after the beloved Vietnam vet character in “Forrest Gump” played by Gary Sinise, explained his reasoning to TikToker Terrence Concannon on Tuesday.
“The safest place to be is on a boat in a flood,” he said, referencing Noah’s Ark. “Everyone that stayed on land drowned. Noah and the animals lived.”
Cops have already been out to see him, and even Weather Channel rockstar Jim Cantore tried to talk some sense into him.
“You seem at peace,” said the TV meteorologist during a visit to the area Tuesday.
“God didn’t bring me this far to have this happen to me,” said Dan, who rode out Helene the same way.
Concannon has set up a GoFundMe for his friend to get a bigger, sturdier vessel.
“Ahoy, mateys!” says the online fundraiser for the “true pirate” that’s already raised more than $20,000. “He’s the kindest soul, never asking for anything but always ready to lend a hand.”
So is Dan worried at all?
“This is nothing compared to what I’ve been through,” he told Concannon. “This doesn’t scare me.”
Someone must have gotten through to him, though. According to TMZ, as of Wednesday afternoon, hours ahead of Milton making landfall, the intrepid seaman finally did say he would leave the boat.
A rep from the Tampa Police Department told the outlet that they don’t forcibly remove people, but confirmed that Dan said he would be exiting the mandatory evacuation zone.
