Human Interest Human Interest News Weather Anderson Cooper Struck by Flying Debris from Hurricane Milton During Live News Report: 'That Wasn't Good' Hurricane Milton hit Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 9 with heavy rain and strong winds By Gabrielle Rockson Gabrielle Rockson Gabrielle Rockson is a staff writer-reporter for PEOPLE. She joined PEOPLE in 2023 and covers entertainment and human interest stories. She's interviewed David Beckham, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and many others. Her previous work can be found in OK! Magazine, MyLondon, GRM Daily, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 10, 2024 10:21AM EDT Comments Anderson Cooper is trooping through the storm. On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the broadcaster, 57, was live on air for CNN when he got hit by debris while covering Hurricane Milton in Florida. “The water now is really starting to pour over,” Cooper said as he spoke to viewers while soaked with rain. “If you look at the ground, whoa -,” he continued before being hit by flying debris. “Okay, that wasn’t good,” he added. “Um, we’ll probably go inside shortly, but you can see the amount of water here on the ground. This is water from the Manatee River.” Assuring viewers of Cooper’s safety, CNN anchor Kaitlin Collins said, “I do want to note for everyone watching who is very concerned obviously about all of our correspondents and anchors on the ground, Anderson is okay.” “Just obviously understandably difficult to establish a connection when you’re seeing what’s happening with the wind and the rain,” she continued. “And obviously the deteriorating conditions by the minute.” Anderson Cooper covering Hurricane Milton. CNN/Youtube Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to the Associated Press, Hurricane Milton was classified as a Category 3 storm before it hit Florida on Wednesday. CNN added that the storm then weakened to a Category 1, with winds of 90 mph, as it moved over Florida. Anderson Cooper covering Hurricane Milton. CNN/Youtube (2) “Extremely dangerous category 3 Hurricane Milton makes landfall near Siesta Key Florida,” the National Hurricane Center wrote on Wednesday. “Life-threatening storm surge, extreme winds, and flash flooding occurring over the central Florida Peninsula." Anderson Cooper hit with flying debris. CNN/Youtube How to Help the Victims of Hurricane Milton The AP also reported that many of the Gulf Coast and communities that had already been affected by Hurricane Helene were hit again with heavy rain and strong winds. According to CNN, over three million people have been out of power due to the Hurricane, with around 16 inches of rain falling on St. Petersburg. The outlet also reported that multiple fatalities occurred in St. Lucie County, after a tornado ripped through a mobile home retirement community.