Joseph Malinowski told NBC News that he’ll only leave his boat if it begins to break apart in the storm.
As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, one local man, Joseph Malinowski, has drawn the concern of both social media users and local authorities by remaining on his sailboat despite the storm’s threatening nature. The 54-year-old Tampa resident, who has made headlines with his decision, said he would only leave his boat if it starts to break apart during the hurricane, adding that he is determined to ride out the storm on the water.
Malinowski’s story first gained attention in mid-September, when University of Tampa senior Terrence Concannon noticed him stranded in the wind and being dragged out to sea while out on his usual walk. “Not a single person would help me,” Malinowski explained to Concannon after being rescued, and Concannon decided to lend a hand. The young man helped Malinowski pull his sailboat back to the dock, where the 54-year-old vowed to stay, rain or shine.
That encounter marked the beginning of what would later become a viral saga. Concannon documented Malinowski’s decision to stay on his boat as Hurricane Helene approached, and now, with Hurricane Milton looming, his story has once again captured the attention of millions of TikTok viewers. Malinowski’s viral journey, which started as a lone story of a man on his boat, has evolved into a national conversation about personal safety and weathering extreme conditions.
As Milton intensifies, local officials and forecasters have urged Malinowski, along with other residents in evacuation zones, to seek shelter. With a 15-foot storm surge predicted to hit parts of Tampa, and the possibility of life-threatening conditions, authorities are concerned about the risks he faces. “If the hurricane hits with full force, it could be fatal,” warned local officials, reiterating the urgency for people in evacuation zones to leave before it’s too late.
TikTok users have weighed in, with many expressing their worry for Malinowski’s safety. While some admire his determination, others have questioned his decision to stay on a boat during a storm of this magnitude. “He’s just putting himself in danger,” said one user. Others have gone as far as calling him irresponsible, noting that he could easily get to safety but has chosen to stay.
Despite these concerns, Malinowski remains resolute. He has said that, unless the storm forces him to abandon his boat, he will not leave, calling the situation his “best chance to survive” in his view. He’s even set up a livestream to document his experience, further sparking discussions among viewers.
While authorities continue to warn of the storm’s potential to cause severe destruction, local officials hope that Malinowski will reconsider before the worst of Milton hits, understanding that his decision might not only risk his own life but also divert emergency resources. As the storm inches closer, his fate remains a point of concern for both the public and local officials.
