Anderson Cooper is taking the risk.
The CNN anchor was reporting live from Brandenton, Florida, as Hurricane Milton touched down on Oct. 9 when he was struck in the head with flying debris.
“If you look at the ground—whoa!” the 57-year-old was heard saying as something large and white flew into the shot, hitting him in the head, which was only covered with a baseball cap. “That wasn’t good. We’ll probably go inside shortly.”
The veteran journalist was in the thick of it as the historic hurricane made landfall as a category three with 120 mph winds.
Many viewers expressed concern for Cooper as the CNN broadcast shared alarming images of the severe conditions.
“My girlfriend is having a full on melt down because @cnn has her favorite thing on earth @andersoncooper in the middle of a life threatening hurricane,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote. “Warning the following video contains Anderson in danger and her cursing like a sailor.”
Another viewer expressed concern for Cooper standing near surging waters, writing, “Can someone get Anderson Cooper away from that railing before he’s washed away?”
YouTube/CNN“‘It’s important for everyone to stay inside’ the FEMA rep tells CNN,” another account shared, “while Anderson Cooper is fighting for his life in Florida in the split screen.”
Others noted that Cooper’s presence on the ground in the storm was unnecessary.
“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,” an X user asked. “It’s like 120mph winds. Get my sweet porcelain glass anchor inside.”
And Cooper’s longtime pal Andy Cohen logged into the chat on Instagram after one viewer wrote, “We need @andersoncooper and @bravoandy for NYE. Please get this national treasure under cover,” Cohen reposted the message, writing, “AGREE.”
As for Anderson himself, he later reposted a message from a viewer praising his coverage on Instagram Stories, sharing his gratitude for their shoutout.
