Hurricane Helene Hits, Causes Extensive Damage

Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm in Florida's Big Bend area, causing extensive damage and killing at least 30 people across four states. The storm brought 140 mph winds, flooding, and power outages, affecting homes, hospitals, and infrastructure in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Rescue operations are ongoing, with some residents still trapped, and a dam in North Carolina is at imminent risk of failure. Various organizations, including the United Way and Catholic Charities, are mobilizing relief efforts to assist the affected communities. The U.S. Coast Guard successfully rescued a man and his dog stranded off Sanibel Island. Climate change is noted as a factor in the intensification of such storms.