A Florida man named Lieutenant Dan gained attention on social media after making a bold decision to remain on his boat in Tampa Bay as Hurricane Milton approached. Despite widespread evacuation warnings, he refused to leave, confident that his faith and preparation would see him through the powerful storm.

Hurricane Milton was predicted to be one of the most catastrophic storms Florida had faced in over a century, with a storm surge potentially raising water levels by up to 9 feet along the Gulf Coast. Meteorologists were certain the hurricane would cause widespread destruction, urging residents to evacuate to safety. Craig Herrera, a meteorologist from FOX Weather, emphasized the danger of the storm surge, calling it the deadliest aspect of a hurricane.

Despite these warnings, Lieutenant Dan chose to stay. Anchored on his 20-foot sailboat in Tampa Harbor, he expressed his conviction that he was where he needed to be. According to him, his decision to remain aboard his boat stemmed from a divine message. “God told me to come out here and get a boat,” he shared, adding that he felt reassured by the belief that he was following the right path.

Confident in his plan, he declared that he would not even wear a life jacket, certain that his boat would rise with the water and keep him safe.