INTERNEWSTIMES.COM – The United States Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog from their disabled sailboat 25 miles off the coast of Sanibel Island on Thursday, just as Hurricane Helene approached the Florida coast.
The 36-foot sailboat began taking on water, leaving the sailor and his canine companion stranded in the open ocean with no nearby assistance. The Coast Guard received a distress call and immediately dispatched a rescue crew, arriving at the sailor’s location approximately 25 miles offshore.
The sailor and his dog were safely brought back to land, but authorities have not disclosed why the man was out at sea despite small craft advisories and hurricane warnings being issued in the area.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region late Thursday night as a Category 4 storm, bringing with it 140 mph winds. The storm touched down near Perry, Florida, just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River, marking the first Category 4 hurricane to hit the region since at least 1859.
The storm’s impact has been widespread, with over 1 million customers in Florida experiencing power outages. Outages have also been reported in neighboring states, with over 46,000 customers without power in Georgia and over 12,400 customers without power in North Carolina.
Tragically, Hurricane Helene has claimed three lives. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp confirmed that two people were killed in Wheeler County, Georgia, during the storm’s passage. Earlier, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reported one fatality on I-4 highway near Tampa, where a sign fell on a car.
The Coast Guard’s swift action in rescuing the sailor and his dog amidst the raging storm is a testament to their dedication and expertise. As Hurricane Helene continues to move inland, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. (Red)
