Lieutenant Dan, a Tampa Florida resident who has become the internet’s latest darling due to his determination to ride out Hurricane Milton in his 20ft sailboat, has expressed gratitude over donations to his GoFundMe.
The one-legged Lieutenant Dan has taken the internet by storm due to videos shared by Tampa Terrence and others on TikTok showing him explaining his refusal to be evacuated despite the approaching deadly hurricane.
According to the ‘Lieutenant’, real name Will Shadrick, he is not leaving his sailboat under any circumstances as he believes he is going to survive the hurricane.
He claims that being on the boat is actually the safest place he can be and that it is those on land who are screwed.
When he was told about the mountainous waves and wind the hurricane would bring he said the waves will lift his boat right up and drop him right back down.
Dan insists that God told him to come out there hence God will surely keep him safe.
@terrenceconcannon @JoeSea ♬ original sound – Tampa Terrence
He reportedly rode out Hurricane Helene in his sailboat but that storm did not have as much of an effect on Tampa as Milton is expected to make landfall Florida.
In fact, not even the warnings of the Mayor of Tampa Jane Castor, Police Chief Lee Bercaw and the legendary Jim Cantore himself has proven successful in budging Dan one bit.
@terrenceconcannon Theres a lot going on here #hurricanemilton ♬ Way down We Go – KALEO
Lieutenant Dan’s bravery, stubbornness and stoicism have all combined to turn him into a bit of an internet celebrity with people ‘invested’ in his fate.
This has led to post such as these going viral: “Am I the only one worried about Lieutenant Dan that won’t leave his boat in Tampa 🥹😩😥 This poor man only has one leg on a tiny boat and is refusing to leave. I can’t stop watching updates on this little guy”
Another post read: “If Lieutenant Dan don’t get off that damn boat and take shelter, he’s gonna cause me to have a heart attack😫”
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe started for him which actually went live a couple of weeks ago to raise money to help him get a new boat has had a new breath of life injected into it with his viral antics of the past few days.
The fundraiser, organized by Terrence Concannon, read; “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.”
One person even donated $1,000 which left Dan speechless when he was asked about it.
@terrenceconcannonThank you to the anonymous person that donated Dan 1k! You are an absolute legend!
As at the time of publication, the fundraiser had reached circa $17k in donations.
No word yet on Dan’s final decision as the hurricane approaches on Wednesday.