Anderson Cooper was hit by debris during the live broadcast of Hurricane Milton and continues to report unfazed

Just minutes after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Siesta Key, Florida with winds of 120 miles per hour, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper experienced his own dramatic encounter with the storm.

During a live standup performance in Bradenton, Florida – just a few miles north of Siesta Key – Cooper was struck by a piece of flying debris.

As a testament to his professionalism, Cooper quickly acknowledged the incident and exclaimed, “Woah! That wasn't good. We'll probably go in soon,” before continuing his report.

Cooper wasn't the only one to face the wrath of Hurricane Milton.

CNN's Bill Weir, who is based in St. Petersburg, also braved the elements as the storm made landfall.

Weir described the conditions as “weak,” referring to the heavy mix of wind and rain. In a moment of levity, he lost his red CNN hat and was thrown right out of the frame during his broadcast, highlighting the storm's chaotic impact.

Meanwhile, veteran Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore took shelter in a Port Charlotte parking garage to avoid wind-borne projectiles.

Despite his precautions, he noted that the port “literally took over the parking lot” when flooding hit the city.

Cantore, a veteran hurricane reporter, has faced many dangers in the past. Viewers may remember a previous incident during Hurricane Ian where he was struck by a flying tree branch during his live reporting, leading many to question the safety of reporters in extreme weather conditions.