Niamh Shackleton
People are worried for a viral TikTok star known as 'Lieutenant Dan' who is refusing to leave his boat as Hurricane Milton makes its way to the Sunshine State.
A guy named Terrence Concannon first introduced the 'real life Lieutenant Dan' to the video sharing platform last month ahead of Hurricane Helen - a category two hurricane that wreaked havoc on parts of the US in recent weeks.
It's presumed the man (who also goes by the name Joe Sea) earned the nickname as, like the Forrest Gump character, he is also missing a leg.
Terrence began documenting Joe's life on his 20ft boat at Bayshore Boulevard before Hurricane Helene hit.
Advert
Speaking in one video, he said 'bring it on' in regards to the severe storm warning.
Luckily, both Joe and his boat survived the hurricane, but now a bigger and stronger one known as Hurricane Milton is set to hit Florida today (October 9).
Terrence himself has tried to convince Joe to go stay in a hotel until the storm has been and gone, but his efforts were in vain.
Even the Chief of Tampa police has spoken to the seaman to try get him off the boat. However, as of yesterday (October 8), Joe was still set on staying put.
He's convinced his boat is 'the safest place to be'.
Joe explained: "The water's going to come in, it's going to rise. If you're on land, it's going to flood. You're risking drowning. I'm in a boat, so the boat goes up with the water... it's really the safest place to be, on my boat."
Elsewhere he said that 'God' told him to get a boat - and it's very much giving Evan Almighty.
"He's got my back. I'm in good shape. I'm not sweating it," he added.
With Joe's defiance in leaving his boat ahead of the category five hurricane hitting today, people have expressed concerns for his welfare.
"Lieutenant Dan is stressing me out more than Milton at this point," one person penned on the most recent update.
A second said: "I am so invested in Lieutenant Dan. I am scared for him. I am praying he makes it through this."
Meanwhile, another asked if the police had plans of 'forcing him to leave' the boat today, to which Terrence replied: "I believe so."
A different person penned: "I keep coming back for updates we just want him safe!"
The last update on Joe was issued 11 hours ago at the time of writing.
Terrence has set up a GoFundMe page for the devout sailor, which you can donate to here.