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A One-Legged Florida Man Prepares for Hurricane Milton on His Houseboat
A Florida man gained significant attention this week for his decision to weather Hurricane Milton aboard his houseboat situated in Tampa Harbor.
Joseph Malinowski, affectionately referred to as “Lieutenant Dan” by locals—after the iconic character from “Forrest Gump”—shared his perspective with TikToker Terrence Concannon on Tuesday. He confidently stated, “The safest place to be is on a boat in a flood,” drawing a parallel to the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. “Everyone that stayed on land drowned. Noah and the animals lived.”
Local authorities have already conducted welfare checks on Malinowski, and even noted meteorologist Jim Cantore made an appearance, attempting to persuade him to reconsider. “You seem at peace,” Cantore remarked during his visit, acknowledging Malinowski’s nonchalant demeanor amid the brewing storm.
“God didn’t bring me this far to have this happen to me,” Malinowski responded, recalling how he had similarly faced Hurricane Helene in the past.
In an effort to support his friend, Concannon has established a GoFundMe campaign aimed at helping Malinowski acquire a larger, more secure boat. The fundraiser, which describes him as a “true pirate,” has successfully generated over $20,000, highlighting his generous nature and willingness to assist others despite never asking for help himself.
When asked about his concerns regarding the approaching hurricane, Malinowski expressed a strong sense of resilience: “This is nothing compared to what I’ve been through. This doesn’t scare me.”
However, by Wednesday afternoon, reports indicated that Malinowski had agreed to leave his boat as Hurricane Milton loomed closer. According to TMZ, while the Tampa Police Department stated they do not forcibly relocate individuals, they confirmed that Malinowski indicated his intention to exit the mandatory evacuation zone.
Source
www.yahoo.com