Anderson Cooper was hit in the face by debris just minutes after Hurricane Milton hit Siesta Key, Florida.
The reporter, 57, was covering the catastrophic disaster live for CNN in Bradenton, just a few miles from Siesta Key, when he was hit by a piece of flying debris.
He recovered quickly as he shouted, ‘Wow! That wasn’t good. We’ll probably get inside shortly.
The dedicated news anchor, known for his coverage of natural disasters, proceeded to continue his report.
However, several of his concerned fans expressed concern and pleaded with Cooper to “come in.”
Anderson Cooper, 57, was hit in the face by debris just minutes after Hurricane Milton hit Siesta Key, Florida.
‘What does putting Anderson Cooper on a dock in the middle of the ocean at the height of a hurricane at its center do to inform viewers? It’s like 120 mph winds. Stick my sweet china crystal anchor inside,” one person wrote.
‘”It’s important for everyone to stay inside,” FEMA representative tells CNN as Anderson Cooper fights for his life in Florida on split screen.’
Can someone get Anderson Cooper off that railing before the current carries him away?
“Someone rescue Anderson Cooper from CNN,” another fan added.
‘Is everyone watching @andersoncooper and this other guy on CNN right now? STUPID to have them outside in this weather. There is no need for this. We understand it. Come in!’
‘Anderson Cooper says the water is up to his knees where they are in Bradenton at midnight. Listening to him speak: every motherly bone in my body says: please, Anderson, come in!’
“Anderson Cooper’s live abuse in Milton continues, but with waves crushing him in the air,” someone else joked.
“CNN better let Anderson Cooper pass out on New Year’s Eve over this.”
The reporter was covering the catastrophic disaster live for CNN in Bradenton, a few miles from Siesta Key, when he was hit by a piece of flying debris.
He recovered quickly as he shouted, ‘Wow! That wasn’t good. We’ll probably get inside shortly.
The dedicated news anchor, known for his coverage of natural disasters, proceeded to continue his report.
However, several of his concerned fans expressed concern and pleaded with Cooper to “come in.”
‘Poor Anderson Cooper,’ someone else chimed in.
‘What does putting Anderson Cooper on a dock in the middle of the ocean at the height of a hurricane at its center do to inform viewers? It’s like 120 mph winds. Stick my sweet china crystal anchor inside,” one person wrote.
Can someone get Anderson Cooper off that railing before the current carries him away?
“Needs to get in,” another commenter wrote.
“Anderson Cooper’s live abuse in Milton continues but with waves crushing him in the air,” someone else joked.
Others shared memes and asked why Cooper was in such terrible weather conditions.
‘CNN Better Let Anderson Cooper Pass Out on New Year’s Eve Over This’
‘This guy is working hard tonight! Stay safe down there @AC360…he still had some humor when he got hit in the face with some Styrofoam!’
‘Is everyone watching @andersoncooper and this other guy on CNN right now? STUPID to have them outside in this weather. There is no need for this. We understand it. Come in!’
‘What is Anderson doing?’ someone questioned
‘Someone rescue CNN’s Anderson Cooper. #HurricaneMilton
‘”It’s important for everyone to stay inside,” FEMA representative tells CNN as Anderson Cooper fights for his life in Florida on split screen’
‘My girlfriend is completely melting because @cnn has her favorite thing on earth @andersoncooper in the middle of a life-threatening hurricane’
“My girlfriend is completely melting because @cnn has her favorite thing on earth @andersoncooper in the middle of a life-threatening hurricane.”
‘This guy is working hard tonight! Stay safe down there @AC360…he still had some humor when he got hit in the face with some Styrofoam!’
Cooper is a renowned journalist and television personality. He is best known for his work as host of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360.
Cooper has covered a wide range of natural disasters throughout his career, including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Florence.
Winds from Hurricane Milton have ripped the roof off Tropicana Field, the domed MLB stadium that has been used as shelter for first responders and those clearing debris from Hurricane Helene.
Hurricane Milton has already killed several people and authorities are warning residents left behind to “SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW.”
The sheriff of St. Lucie County in Florida has said there have been “multiple deaths” due to a tornado outbreak before Milton’s arrival on Wednesday.
A flash flood emergency was declared in the Tampa area due to high waters from Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night.
The National Weather Service has declared a flash flood emergency after 10 to 14 inches of rain fell in the Tampa Bay area, a region of just over two million people.
Cooper has covered a wide range of natural disasters throughout his career, including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and Hurricane Florence; seen in 2024
The emergency in Tampa will last until at least 2:30 a.m. local time, and some nearby areas will face flash flooding until 4 a.m.
‘Between 10 and 14 inches of rain has fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring,” the NWS said. “This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!’
The National Hurricane Center says the storm made landfall on Siesta Key, Florida, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico near Sarasota, with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour.
More than two million people in the region are already without power due to the storm.