Lieutenant Dan Tampa is the name that millions on TikTok know Joseph Malinowski by. He gained massive attention for his determination to stay on his small sailboat during not one, but two hurricanes that hit Tampa, Florida—Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

Despite the repeated warnings from police, local officials, and countless TikTok viewers, Malinowski refused to evacuate. He survived both hurricanes, becoming an unlikely viral sensation.

Malinowski, a homeless man living on his boat, defied pleas to evacuate. As Hurricane Milton approached, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced that police had taken him to a shelter.

However, Malinowski later contradicted this claim, saying he had not gone to a shelter but simply told the police that to avoid further confrontation. By the time the storm hit, he was back on his boat.

Lieutenant Dan Gains Fame on TikTok

TikTok user Terrence Concannon, a senior at the University of Tampa who goes by “Tampa Terrence,” played a major role in spreading Malinowski’s story.

Concannon posted several videos documenting Lieutenant Dan Tampa’s choice to remain on his boat, despite the rising sea levels and the imminent danger.

His posts included interviews with Malinowski, showing his calm demeanor as the storms approached.

In one of the most popular videos, which garnered over 30 million views, Malinowski boldly told the hurricane to “come and get me.”

This sparked concern from viewers, many of whom urged him to evacuate. However, his resistance became a point of both fascination and frustration.

Comments like “Lieutenant Dan is stressing me out more than Milton at this point” flooded the videos, while others expressed admiration for his bravery.

Streaming Fame and Support

In an unexpected turn, Lieutenant Dan Tampa’s viral fame led to offers of financial support.

Adin Ross, a well-known live streamer, invited Malinowski to join him on a livestream during Hurricane Milton.

On the stream, Ross offered to buy Malinowski a new boat valued between $50,000 and $100,000.

He also proposed that Malinowski sign a deal with the streaming platform Kick, where he could share his adventures at sea with viewers.

Concannon also started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Malinowski to buy a new boat.

As of now, the campaign has raised over $37,000, showing how quickly the internet can come together to support someone in need.

Despite his reluctance to evacuate during the hurricanes, Malinowski’s resilience and charm captivated millions, turning him into an overnight social media star.

The Story Behind “Lieutenant Dan”

Concannon gave Malinowski the nickname Lieutenant Dan Tampa after the character from the movie Forrest Gump.

Much like the movie character, who was an amputee who survived a hurricane, Malinowski has a similar background.

He lost his left leg in a car accident when he was just 16 years old. The comparison struck a chord with viewers, adding another layer to his story of survival.

Though many people were worried about his safety, Malinowski remained calm throughout both hurricanes.

When asked by reporters why he didn’t leave his boat, he confidently said that a boat is the “safest place to be in a flood.”

With his newfound fame and support from social media, Lieutenant Dan Tampa could soon transition into a career as a live streamer, sharing more of his adventures from the water.

For now, he remains a Tampa legend, forever remembered as the man who stayed on his boat and survived two hurricanes.