Online commentators expressed their concern for the TV anchor after debris struck Anderson Cooper in the face while he was providing live coverage of Hurricane Milton.
Yesterday, October 9, Milton, the second hurricane to strike Florida in as many weeks, made ashore. It was reported to be a category three storm. Milton, which was predicted to be extremely devastating, brought with it waves that were about thirty feet high and tornadoes.
It goes without saying that the public was given several warnings in advance, yet some people chose to remain in their current locations rather than leave the places that were in the storm’s path.
Anderson Cooper, a well-known CNN anchor, braved winds of 120 mph while reporting live from Siesta Key, Florida, yesterday.
Videos of Cooper valiantly battling the weather were posted to social media as soon as his program aired. The 57-year-old was clearly struggling and was struck by a piece of debris at one point as he was battered by wind and rain coming from all directions.
Acknowledging the incident, Cooper said: “Woah! That wasn’t good. We’ll probably go inside shortly.”
Social media users were quick to comment on what they had witnessed. Many members of the public believed the anchor had no business reporting under such dangerous circumstances—a view we certainly hold—and would have been better off hiding away somewhere secure.
“What does putting Anderson Cooper on a pier in the middle of the ocean at the height of a hurricane in its center achieve in informing viewers. It’s like 120mph winds. Get my sweet porcelain glass anchor inside,” one X user wrote.
“Someone rescue Anderson Cooper from CNN. #HurricaneMilton,” said another.
“The moment Anderson Cooper gets hit by flying debris in Bradenton, FL. WTF,” a third penned.
“Why is Anderson Cooper out in Milton trying to be Jim Cantore, and why did he get smacked in the face by debris?” another wrote.
Although Hurricane Milton has since fallen to category one, there are still cautions about the potential damage it might inflict as it moves forward.
“You have to shelter in place and just hunker down,” Florida governor Ron DeSantis urged.
“This storm is here.”
