Hurricane Helene struck the southeastern United States with 140 mph winds, making landfall in northwestern Florida as a Category 4 storm and causing widespread devastation, including over 1.2 million power outages and at least three fatalities. Amidst the chaos, a remarkable rescue unfolded as the U.S. Coast Guard successfully saved a stranded sailor and his dog approximately 25 miles off Sanibel Island after their 36-foot sailboat became disabled. The Coast Guard responded swiftly to a distress signal, navigating treacherous waters to airlift the pair to safety, where they were reported to be in good condition. Helene's impact extended beyond the coast, prompting hurricane and flash flood warnings into northern Georgia and western North Carolina. As the storm weakened to a tropical storm, it continued to pose threats with heavy rain and high winds as it moved inland. The situation remains critical as rescue efforts and damage assessments are ongoing across the affected regions.