A man says he is refusing to evacuate because God told him to get a boat in the midst of Hurricane Milton.
Joe Sea, who has been nicknamed Lieutenant Dan, is planning to stay on his 20ft boat in Tampa Harbor. The Category 5 storm, which is sweeping parts of the US with winds of up to 175mph (281km/h), is expected to hit Tampa Bay at any moment.
Despite strong winds forming close to him, Joe said he was “not sweating it” and explained that he didn’t even need a life jacket. In a video on social media, he said that he wants to “stick it out” in the bay. “He’s ( God has ) got my back. I’m in good shape. I’m not sweating it,” said Joe.
He further 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 in the water… it’s really the safest place to be, on my boat.”
Urgent alerts have been issued over Hurricane Milton (
AFP via Getty Images)
In another clip, he said: “I’m doing what he told me to do. He didn’t send nobody to get me out of here. And anybody that tries to get me out of here, they’re not of God because God told me that this was right for me and that’s why I’m doing it.”
It comes as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stressed that boat users should avoid staying onboard. They warned that the treacherous conditions would risk “your life and the lives of potential responders”. Authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders across 11 Florida counties with a combined population of about 5.9 million people, according to US Census Bureau estimates.
Joe has become a hit on TikTok and has gained a following of around 100,000. His worried fans have even offered to provide him with shelter or to sponsor him for a motel room. Police also urged him to get off the boat but had no luck. Earlier this month, locals launched a GoFundMe to help Joe purchase a new boat “to sail the seas”.
The fundraiser states: “Ahoy, mateys! We’re rallying together to help our dear friend Lieutenant Dan who lives on a sailboat and embodies the spirit of a true pirate. He’s the kindest soul, never asking for anything but always ready to lend a hand. His current vessel has seen better days, and we want to surprise him with a new boat to continue his seafaring adventures. Let’s come together and show our support for this modern-day pirate by helping him get a new ship to sail the seas.”
So far the fundraiser has reached £13,877.64 at the time of publishing.