Coast Guard rescues sailor, dog as Hurricane Helene nears Florida

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog Thursday after the man’s sailboat capsized off Florida in stormy seas caused by Hurricane Helene.

The image atop this post shows the sailor and his dog in lifejackets, with a Coast Guard helicopter crew closing in for the rescue operation.

“USCG Air Station Clearwater saved a man & his dog, Thurs., during Hurricane Helene after his 36-ft sailboat became disabled & started taking on water approximately 25 miles off Sanibel Island,” the Coast Guard’s District Seven announced via X. (Click here to view video of the rescue.)

The agency provided the following information to others who might find themselves in trouble on the water: “Call the USCG for help on VHF Ch. 16 or dial 911 for storm distress.”

Hurricane Helene had strengthened into an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm as it approached Florida’s northwest coast.

Heavy rain and flooding were occurring throughout the southeastern U.S. and potentially deadly storm surges are expected before and during landfall late Thursday in the Florida Big Bend region.

According to the National Hurricane Center, “Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.”