Anderson Cooper was whacked in the face with a piece of debris while reporting on the ground in Florida during Hurricane Milton Wednesday night.
The incident occurred as the CNN anchor provided an update from Bradenton, Fla., in the midst of 100-plus-mph winds and intense rain and flooding.
“The water now is really starting to pour over. If you look at the ground — whoa!” he said in a now-viral video before a large white object flew into his face.
The anchor was hit in the face with a piece of white debris while speaking mid-broadcast.CNN
Cooper, 57, immediately quipped, “OK, that wasn’t good” before saying he and the network’s camera crew would “probably go inside shortly” for their safety.
“But you can see the amount of water here on the ground. This is water from the Manatee River,” he continued while bending down to point out the flooding.
Shortly after, “The Source” anchor Kaitlan Collins came on the air to assure viewers that her colleague was “OK.”
“OK, that wasn’t good,” Cooper quipped after being whacked.CNN
His colleague Kaitlan Collins later clarified that Cooper was “OK.”CNN/Youtube
“I do want to note for everyone watching who’s very concerned, obviously, about all our correspondents and anchors on the ground. Anderson is OK, just obviously understandably difficult to establish a connection when you’re seeing what’s happening with the wind and the rain and obviously the deteriorating conditions by the minute,” she explained.
Collins, 32, also shared that CNN had several anchors working throughout the storm’s projected path on the west coast of Florida, but the network strategically placed them in mainland areas as opposed to the dangerous coastline.
Several viewers took to social media to express both their admiration and worry for Cooper, who continued to broadcast well after midnight while struggling to stand amid the winds and barreling water.
Several fans took to social media to talk about the viral incident.CNN
Some people pointed out that Cooper should be able to “black out” with Andy Cohen during their next New Year’s Eve broadcast, as pictured here in 2023.WireImage
“He is fighting for his LIFE and I cannot look away,” one person wrote via X.
“CNN had better let Anderson Cooper black out on New Year’s Eve for this,” another joked, referring to the host’s annual end-of-year broadcast with Andy Cohen on CNN.
“GET THIS MAN A BEVERAGE NOW poor guy was getting beaten up,” a third viewer posted.
Cooper, pictured here in May, joined several other anchors bracing the storm Wednesday.Steven Hirsch
Hurricane Milton weakened to a Category 3 storm before hitting Florida late Wednesday.RAMMB/CIRA
Cooper has yet to publicly address the debris debacle, but he briefly popped on social media to repost a fan’s Instagram Story thanking him for his hurricane coverage.
Hurricane Milton originated in the Caribbean Sea on Oct. 5 and became a Category 5 storm two days later.
The hurricane weakened to Category 3 before making landfall near Siesta Key, Fla., late Wednesday and killing at least eight people and severely damaging countless homes.
News
Patrik Laine’s Fiancée Sends Emotional Message to Canadiens Fans After Yesterday’s Ovation
Photo credit: NHL Patrik Laine’s fiancee, Jordan Leigh, just shared a heartfelt message for the fans. Following the massive Ovation Patrik Laine received from the Bell Centre crowd, his girlfriend experienced a wave of emotions from the stands. After the game,…
Florida man nicknamed ‘Lieutenant Dan’ refuses to leave boat as Hurricane Milton nears
Update: Lieutenant Dan has been evacuated to a Tampa Bay shelter. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor delivered the good news during a press conference held Wednesday. “The Tampa Police Department, this morning, just saved Lieutenant Dan. He has been rescued, and…
Yankees-Royals TBS broadcast somehow hit a new low in Game 3
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse … 2024 Harold and Carole Pump Foundation Gala / Tiffany Rose/GettyImages The TBS broadcast team of Bob Costas, Ron Darling, and Jon Morosi has been a hot topic of conversation throughout this…
Giancarlo Stanton bails out Aaron Judge with wildly clutch ALDS Game 3 for Yankees
Division Series – New York Yankees v Kansas City Royals – Game 3 / Ed Zurga/GettyImages Aaron Judge still only has one hit in this ALDS, and it was an infield single in Game 2. He’s yet to make an…
Cole Caufield makes an incredible gesture in memory of Johnny Gaudreau after scoring his first of the season
Photo credit: Screenshot In what was a beautiful tribute, after Cole Caufield scored the first goal for the Montreal Canadiens this season, he made a gesture in honor of Johnny Gaudreau. During the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens season opener on…
Roof of Rays’ Tropicana Field destroyed by Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton ripped right through St. Petersburg, leaving only shreds of the Tropicana Field roof behind. Oct 8, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; A view of the field and the fans and the ballpark roof during the sixth inning between…
End of content
No more pages to load