Anderson Cooper was hit in the face by debris minutes after Hurricane Milton hit Siesta Key, Florida.
The reporter, 57, was covering the disaster for CNN in Bradenton, a few miles from Siesta Key, when he was hit by a piece of flying debris.
He quickly recovered while exclaiming: 'Alas! It's not good. We'll go in soon.'
The dedicated news anchor – known for his coverage of natural disasters – then proceeded to continue his reporting.
However, many of his concerned fans expressed their concern as they pleaded with Cooper to 'go in'.
Minutes after Hurricane Milton hit Siesta Key, Florida, 57-year-old Anderson Cooper was hit in the face by debris.
'What Anderson Cooper achieves in informing the audience is to put Anderson Cooper at the height of the hurricane on a ship in the middle of the ocean at its center. Wind gusts up to 120 miles per hour. Bring in my sweet porcelain glass anchor,' wrote one.
“It's important that everyone stays in,” FEMA representative tells CNN, split screen as Anderson Cooper fights for his life in Florida.'
'Can someone wash Anderson Cooper off that rail?'
Another fan added: 'Someone save Anderson Cooper from CNN.'
'Y'all watching @andersoncooper and this other dude on CNN right now? It would be foolish to take them out in this weather. It doesn't need to. We get it. Go in!'
'In Bradenton at midnight there is knee-deep water,' says Anderson Cooper. Hearing him speak: Every maternal bone in my body please, Anderson, come in!'
'Anderson Cooper's live abuse continues in Milton, but the waves are smashing him in the air,' joked another.
'CNN Lets Anderson Cooper Black Out on New Year's Eve.'
The reporter was covering the devastating disaster live for CNN in Bradenton, just a few miles from Siesta Key.
He quickly recovered while exclaiming: 'Alas! It's not good. We'll go in soon.'
The dedicated news anchor – known for his coverage of natural disasters – then continued his report.
However many of his worried fans begged Cooper to 'go in'.
'Poor Anderson Cooper,' quipped someone else
'What Anderson Cooper accomplishes in informing the audience is to place Anderson Cooper at the height of the hurricane on a ship in the middle of the ocean at its center. Wind gusts up to 120 miles per hour. Bring in my sweet porcelain glass anchor,' wrote one
'Can someone wash Anderson Cooper off that rail?'
'He should go in,' wrote another commenter
'Anderson Cooper's live abuse continues in Milton, but the waves are smashing him in the air,' joked another.
Others shared memes questioning why Cooper was out in such bad weather
CNN allowed Anderson Cooper to black out on New Year's Eve.
'This boy is working hard tonight! Stay safe out there @AC360 ….He still had some humor when he got hit in the face with some styrofoam!'
'Y'all watching @andersoncooper and this other dude on CNN right now? It would be foolish to take them out in this weather. It doesn't need to. We get it. Go in!'
'What's Anderson doing?' one questioned
'Someone save Anderson Cooper from CNN. #HurricaneMilton'
“It's important for everyone to stay inside,” FEMA representative tells CNN as Anderson Cooper fights for his life on split screen in Florida
My girlfriend is totally melting because of @andersoncooper on @cnn earth in the middle of a life-threatening hurricane.'
'My girlfriend is totally melting because @andersoncooper has her favorite thing on @cnn earth in the middle of a life threatening hurricane.'
'This boy is working hard tonight! Stay safe out there @AC360 ….
Cooper is a renowned journalist and television personality. He is best known for his work as the host of CNN's Anderson Cooper 360.
Cooper has covered a variety of natural disasters throughout his career, including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and Hurricane Florence.
Winds from Hurricane Milton tore off the roof of Tropicana Field, the domed MLB stadium used to shelter first responders and those clearing debris from Hurricane Helen.
Hurricane Milton has already killed many people as officials warn, 'Look for higher ground now.'
The sheriff of St. Lucie County, Florida, said there were 'multiple fatalities' as the tornado struck ahead of Milton's arrival on Wednesday.
A flash flood emergency was declared in the Tampa area from the high waters of 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, home to more than two million people.
Cooper has covered a variety of natural disasters throughout his career, including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and Hurricane Florence; Seen in 2024
The state of 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.
'10 to 14 inches of rain has fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring,” the NWS said. “This is a particularly dangerous situation. Now seek higher ground!'
Siesta Key, Florida, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico near Sarasota, sustained winds of 120 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Already, more than two million people in the region are without power due to the storm.
