Anderson Cooper was struck in the face by debris just minutes after Hurricane Milton struck in 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 struck by a piece of flying debris.
He quickly recovered as he shouted, “Woah! That wasn’t good. We’ll probably go in soon.’
The dedicated newsreader – known for his reporting on natural disasters – then continued with his report.
However, some of his concerned fans expressed their concerns as they begged Cooper to “go inside.”
Anderson Cooper, 57, was hit in the face by debris just minutes after Hurricane Milton struck in Siesta Key, Florida
“What is the benefit of putting Anderson Cooper on a pier in the middle of the ocean at the height of a hurricane in the middle of informing viewers? It’s like a wind speed of 190 km/h. Get my sweet porcelain glass anchor in,” one person wrote.
“It’s important that everyone stays indoors,” the FEMA representative tells CNN as Anderson Cooper fights for his life on a split screen in Florida.”
“Can someone get Anderson Cooper away from that railing before he gets washed away?”
“Someone saved Anderson Cooper from CNN,” another fan added.
“Are you all watching @andersoncooper and that other guy on CNN right now? Stupid to have them outside in this weather. This is not necessary. We get it. Go in!’
“Anderson Cooper says the water is up to his knees in Bradenton at midnight. When I hear him talk, every motherly bone in my body says, Anderson, get in!’
“Anderson Cooper’s live abuse in Milton continues, but with waves hitting him,” someone else joked.
“CNN better blackout Anderson Cooper on New Year’s Eve for this.”
The reporter was reporting live on the catastrophic disaster for CNN in Bradenton, just a few miles from Siesta Key, when he was struck by a piece of flying debris.
He quickly recovered as he shouted, “Woah! That wasn’t good. We’ll probably go in soon.”
The dedicated newsreader – known for his reporting on natural disasters – then continued with his report
However, some of his concerned fans expressed their concerns as they begged Cooper to ‘get in there’
“Poor Anderson Cooper,” someone else chimed in
“What is the benefit of putting Anderson Cooper on a pier in the middle of the ocean at the height of a hurricane in the middle of informing viewers? It’s like a wind speed of 190 km/hour. Get my sweet porcelain glass anchor in,” one person wrote
“Can someone get Anderson Cooper away from that railing before he gets washed away?”
“He needs to go in,” another commenter wrote
“Anderson Cooper’s live abuse in Milton continues, but with waves hitting him,” someone else joked
Others shared memes wondering why Cooper was outside in such bad weather conditions
‘CNN better have Anderson Cooper blackout on New Year’s Eve for this’
‘This man is working hard tonight! Stay safe down there @AC360….he still had some humor when he got hit in the face with some styrofoam thankfully!’
“Are you all watching @andersoncooper and that other guy on CNN right now? Stupid to have them outside in this weather. This is not necessary. We get it. Go in!’
“What’s Anderson doing?” someone wondered
“Someone saved Anderson Cooper from CNN. #hurricaneMilton’
“It’s important that everyone stays indoors,” the FEMA representative tells CNN as Anderson Cooper fights for his life in a split screen in Florida.”
“My girlfriend is having a complete meltdown because @cnn has her favorite thing on earth @andersoncooper in the middle of a life threatening hurricane”
“My girlfriend is having a meltdown because @cnn has her favorite thing on earth @andersoncooper in the middle of a life threatening hurricane.”
‘This man is working hard tonight! Stay safe down there @AC360….he still had some humor when he got hit in the face with some styrofoam thankfully!’
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 a shelter for first responders and those removing debris from Hurricane Helene.
Hurricane Milton has already killed several people, with authorities warning remaining residents to “SEARCH FOR HIGH GROUND NOW.”
The sheriff of St. Lucie County in Florida has said there have been “multiple fatalities” as a result of a tornado outbreak prior to 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 declared a state of emergency after 10 to 12 inches of rain fell in the Tampa Bay area, a region with just over two million residents.
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, with some nearby areas experiencing flash flooding until 4 a.m.
‘Between 30 and 40 centimeters of rain has fallen. Flash flooding is already underway,” the NWS said. “This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. FIND HIGH 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.
The storm has already left more than two million people in the region without power.