Man Rescued After Clinging to Cooler Off Florida's Gulf Coast During Hurricane Milton

A man was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard Thursday after he was found floating approximately 30 miles off Longboat Key, clinging to a cooler for survival. The man had been adrift in the Gulf of Mexico, battling treacherous conditions after Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s central-west coast.

The Coast Guard reported that they first made contact with the man on Wednesday night. However, as conditions worsened and Hurricane Milton approached, they lost contact at around 6:45 p.m. ET. The Category 3 hurricane brought with it fierce winds and heavy rain, creating perilous conditions on the water. As the storm intensified, many emergency services across the state were suspended due to safety concerns.

Despite the hazardous environment, a Coast Guard Air Station Miami helicopter crew launched a mission early Thursday morning and located the man floating amidst the aftermath of the storm. Rescuers reported that he had managed to stay afloat by holding onto a cooler and using a life jacket, both of which were instrumental in his survival during the ordeal.

The man was transported to Tampa General Hospital for medical evaluation. Officials highlighted the severity of the storm's impact, describing the life-threatening conditions that included 75-90 mph winds and 20-25-foot seas. His survival was attributed to his use of emergency equipment, including a life jacket and an emergency position-indicating locator beacon.

Hurricane Milton’s landfall on Wednesday night brought significant storm surges and flooding to the area, prompting widespread emergency measures. The Coast Guard’s swift response and the man’s quick thinking ultimately led to a successful rescue in the aftermath of the devastating storm.