CNN host Anderson Cooper experienced the the storm’s wrath firsthand.

Cooper was drilled in the face with flying debris as he gave a live report in the midst of the powerful winds brought on by Hurricane Milton Wednesday night.

Cooper, posted near the Manatee River, attempted to explain how the storm impacted the water when he was met with Milton’s wrath, 30 minutes after the storm made landfall on Florida’s west-central coast.

“You could see it in the light there, (the wind) is just whipping off the Manatee River. It’s coming in from the northeast and the water is really starting to pour over,” Cooper said.

“Whoa, OK, that wasn’t good,” Cooper added after he was struck. “We’ll probably go inside shortly.”

The 57-year-old father of two later picked up the culprit, a rectangular piece of styrofoam that had blown from the river and directly into the reporter.

Cooper, known for his on-site coverage of hurricanes, took the incident in stride and continued his report on the water from the Manatee River rising above the riverbank and onto the walkway above.

In other portions of the live show, Cooper stood farther away from the water, but the rough waves managed to reach the reporter, knocking him around as he spoke to a colleague, video posted to X captured.

Cooper’s live coverage during the storm sparked concern over his well-being from worried viewers.

“He is fighting for his LIFE and I cannot look away,” one commenter wrote.

“CNN had better let Anderson Cooper blackout on New Year’s Eve for this,” another comment read, referencing Cooper’s annual “New Year’s Eve Live” show, which he has hosted since 2002.

Viewer Reactions to Cooper's Coverage

Many viewers took to social media to express their concerns over Cooper’s safety, with many expressing that Cooper’s presence 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,” one X user asked. “It’s like 120mph winds. Get my sweet porcelain glass anchor inside.”

Some viewers saw this video through the lens of Cooper’s forced New Year’s Eve sobriety in 2023, tweeting about how CNN needs to let him drink when we ring in 2025. Honestly, we hope he’s drinking now. Get him a hot toddy and a Latino.

While others questioned whether it was necessary to send a reporter out into such dangerous conditions, many were simply concerned for Cooper's safety.

“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.”

Other Reporter’s Dangerous Encounter

Another reporter was also involved in a dangerous incident along the 36-mile-long riverbank Wednesday night.

Robert Ray, a correspondent for Fox Weather, had just wrapped up a live report 20 feet from the river when a giant pine tree fell onto the vehicles of him and his crew around 7:52 p.m.

“I had just gotten done with a live report, where I was showing the Manatee River, which is right beyond this tree, walked to my vehicle, looked at my phone,” Ray recalled, standing inside the fallen tree.

“All of a sudden, boom, the whole tree comes down and partially goes into the vehicle.”

Ray gave his entire weather spot as he stood inside the branches of the fallen tree.

Hurricane Milton’s Aftermath

Milton, which grew to a catastrophic Category 5 storm, made landfall as a Category 3 at 8:30 p.m.

It had weakened to a Category 1 storm, holding its classification as of 5 a.m. Thursday.

Winds from the storm caused problems throughout Florida, with deadly tornadoes spawning and structures being torn apart.

Multiple people were killed after more than a dozen powerful tornadoes associated with Hurricane Milton ripped through parts of Florida Wednesday, authorities said.

In St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium, Tropicana Field, had its roof ripped off by the winds, which had measured up to 91 mph.

A crane working on a high-rise in downtown St. Pete collapsed, with a portion of it crashing into the building that holds the offices of the Tampa Bay Times.

Conclusion: A Stormy Night for Reporters

Cooper’s experience highlights the risks that reporters face while covering natural disasters. Despite the dangers, Cooper continued his report, demonstrating his commitment to providing viewers with up-to-the-minute coverage of the storm.

It is a reminder of the importance of staying informed about severe weather events, and of the dedication of journalists who work to keep us safe and informed.

The impact of Hurricane Milton on Florida was felt far and wide. As the storm swept across the state, it brought destructive winds, heavy rainfall and powerful tornadoes. Although Milton weakened to a Category 1 storm by Thursday, its impact will be felt for days to come. The storm left a trail of destruction, causing damage to infrastructure and homes across the state.

For those in the path of Hurricane Milton, the storm served as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness. The storm also highlighted the dedication and courage of those who work to keep us safe and informed during these difficult times.