Anderson Cooper faced more than just strong winds while covering Hurricane Milton in Florida—he encountered a flying piece of debris that hit him directly in the face during a live broadcast. The incident occurred just after the Category 3 hurricane made landfall in Siesta Key, and Cooper was reporting from nearby Bradenton. As the storm unleashed its fury, the seasoned journalist was struck by debris, prompting him to quickly regain composure, exclaiming, “Woah! That wasn’t good. We’ll probably go inside shortly.”
Viewers watching the live broadcast had mixed reactions, with many expressing concern for Cooper’s safety. Comments flooded social media, with fans questioning why he and his crew were reporting from such dangerous conditions. “What does putting Anderson Cooper on a pier in the middle of the ocean at the height of a hurricane achieve in informing viewers? It’s like 120 mph winds. Get my sweet porcelain glass anchor inside,” one user wrote. Others echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the risk Cooper faced, especially as emergency officials and the National Weather Service were urging residents to seek shelter and avoid going outside.
CNN’s Anderson Cooper gets smacked in the face by debris as he’s in Bradenton, Florida reporting live on Hurricane Milton, he’s fine pic.twitter.com/w3LcKgH5ge
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) October 10, 2024
Some found humor in the situation, noting the surreal contrast between Cooper braving the elements on one side of the screen while officials on the other side warned viewers to stay indoors. “The live abuse of Anderson Cooper in Milton continues, but with waves smashing him on air,” one person quipped. Others pointed out that while Cooper’s commitment to reporting was evident, the risks involved were not worth it. “He needs to go inside,” a concerned commenter remarked, with others adding that his dedication to bringing the story to viewers should not come at the expense of his safety.
Despite the criticism and concern, Cooper continued his live coverage, keeping viewers updated on the hurricane’s impact. Known for his steadfast reporting during natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy, the 57-year-old journalist maintained his focus on delivering the story, even as Hurricane Milton lashed the area with punishing winds and rain.
The storm, which made landfall with sustained winds of 120 mph, left a trail of devastation in its wake. Milton’s path of destruction included tornado outbreaks in St. Lucie County, resulting in multiple fatalities and severe damage to homes and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay region saw unprecedented flooding, with 10 to 14 inches of rain causing a flash flood emergency that put thousands of residents at risk. The powerful winds tore the roof off Tropicana Field, which had been serving as a shelter for first responders and volunteers working to clear debris from Hurricane Helene’s recent strike.
As Cooper continued his coverage, Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to remain cautious and avoid venturing outdoors. He emphasized the dangers of rising waters and downed power lines, warning that the worst of the storm’s flooding could still be ahead with the coming high tide. At the same time, President Biden declared Florida a disaster area to speed up federal aid, promising full support for the state’s recovery efforts.
In the midst of these challenges, Cooper’s resilience on air was met with both admiration and worry from viewers. The moment he was struck by debris highlighted the unpredictable and dangerous nature of covering hurricanes in real-time, serving as a reminder of the risks that come with reporting from the front lines of natural disasters.
Anderson Cooper drilled in face by flying debris during live on-air Hurricane Milton report: ‘That wasn’t good’ https://t.co/T5s3oGSjAC pic.twitter.com/TEnglqpBIK
— New York Post (@nypost) October 10, 2024
While Cooper remained safe and uninjured, the incident underscored the seriousness of Hurricane Milton’s impact, as millions across Florida grappled with power outages, flooding, and the daunting task of recovery.
