“Lieutenant Dan” refuses to leave the Tampa boat as Milton approaches: “Just like Noah and his ark, I’ll be fine.”

A one-legged Florida man nicknamed Lieutenant Dan compared his Ark to Noah as he revealed he would not obey Tampa Bay's evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Milton.

The monster storm is expected to hit Florida today and residents in its path have been warned to “flee or die.”

And yet Joseph Malinowski, affectionately known to locals as Joe Sea or Lieutenant Dan, isn't afraid to stick around.

Joe said from his 20-foot boat in Tampa Harbor as strong winds swirled overhead, “The safest place to be is on a boat in flooding.” That's what we learned from Noah.

“Everyone who stayed on land drowned.” Noah and the animals lived.'

He previously said: “I'm not worried.” My life is nothing compared to what I've been through. That doesn't scare me.

“It's not even a small inconvenience because all that's going to happen is everyone's going to get wet, but I'm going to be fine because I'm in a boat that floats.”

Joe lost his leg in a car accident at the age of 16. He said he just took his eyes off the road “for a second” when he came across another car going about 45 mph.

“I was expecting to be home in time for dinner. When I arrived at the hospital, my entire family showed up within minutes.'

Joe, called “Lt Dan” after the character in “Forrest Gump,” said he would stay on his boat

His leg was amputated below the knee, giving him the nickname he still bears today. In Forrest Gump, Lieutenant Dan lost both legs below the knee during the Vietnam War.

Joe said he expected the wind to get even stronger, but was confident in the strength of his anchor.

“My anchor is tied to the dock, I'm not going anywhere.” Everything will be okay. I'll be fine.'

Joe explains in a video now widely shared on the Internet that “God” told him to “get out here and get a boat.” He is standing behind me. I'm doing well. I don't sweat.'

He already declined a life jacket, saying he could swim “in circles” if necessary while trying to “hold on” in the bay.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) warned this week that people should not stay on board or venture out in harsh conditions because it endangers “your lives and the lives of potential responders.”

In Forrest Gump, Lieutenant Dan lost both legs below the knee during the Vietnam War

Terrence said police tried to convince him to move on before Milton's arrival

Joe said he would not wear a life jacket and trusted God to keep him alive

Fans have offered to sponsor him a motel room or offered him lodging in other states.

But Joe remains convinced that he is better off at sea.

“Tampa Terrence” documented Joe's resistance to Hurricane Milton and set up a GoFundMe to help him purchase a new ship “to sail the seas.”

The fundraiser has raised over $19,000 so far.

Terrence also said he offered Joe a room at a hotel near the Tampa airport, but he was “still hesitant to go.”

“God has my back,” Joe affirms in another video. “I'm doing what he told me.” He didn't send anyone to get me out of here.

“And anyone who tries to get me out of here is not from God, because God told me that this is right for me and that’s why I’m doing it.”

Tampa police were among those urging Joe to move on and seek protection. A man believed to be the Tampa police chief was seen urging Joe to leave.

The sailor was told that “nine shelters were open” in a video released yesterday.

Lieutenant Dan remains on the 20-foot sailboat for now, although shelter is offered elsewhere

GOES-19 captured a high-resolution look at Hurricane Milton

The fans wish him all the best and hope that he weathers the storm well.

“The more you go through it, the more you learn,” he told The Weather Channel. “I’m confident I can get through it unless a situation arises and I end up in Kansas.”

Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall late Wednesday, bringing winds of up to 170 mph (280 km/h) and 15 feet (4.5 meters) of flooding, in what could be one of the worst storms to hit Florida in more than a century.

According to NHC forecasters, Milton “has the potential to be one of the most devastating hurricanes ever for West Central Florida.”

Millions have already been evacuated from their homes and large emergency shelters have been set up at stadiums and venues across the state.

School districts were closed, businesses shuttered and forced evacuation orders were ordered for around six million people as weather authorities said the storm could be one of the most devastating hurricanes ever.

Florida is still reeling from Hurricane Helene, which hit the state at the end of September.

As of October 6, 227 people are reported to have died from the storm, making it the deadliest hurricane since Katrina in 2005.

The latest satellite image of Hurricane Milton was taken at 7:51 UTC (8:51 UK BST) as it approached Florida on Wednesday

Florida Army National Guard members search for remaining residents on nearly deserted Bradenton Beach Oct. 8

Donald Trump has been criticized for spreading misinformation after accusing the administration of withholding aid from Republican hurricane victims.

Kamala Harris responded that he was “extraordinarily irresponsible” for the allegations.

FEMA also disputed his claims, warning that misinformation was “extremely harmful” and adding that they believed his claims had deterred some survivors from seeking help.

Trump also said, “Kamala spent all of her Fema money – billions of dollars – on housing illegal immigrants” – a claim that was promptly debunked.

Hundreds of lineman trucks were out in The Villages, Florida on Tuesday. Thousands of trucks are being deployed and deployed after Hurricane Milton hits Florida. Hurricane Milton 2024