**Coast Guard Rescues Man and Dog from Disabled Sailboat Amid Approaching Hurricane**

In a dramatic rescue operation, the U.S. Coast Guard saved a man and his dog from a disabled sailboat off the coast of Sanibel Island on Thursday. The rescue occurred as Hurricane Helene advanced towards Florida, raising the urgency of the situation.

The man's 36-foot sailboat was situated approximately 25 miles from Sanibel Island when it became disabled and started to take on water. In response to the distress call, a Coast Guard member from Air Station Clearwater was deployed via helicopter. A video of the rescue shows the guardsman descending into the turbulent ocean to reach the stranded individuals.

Once the rescuer reached the sailboat, both the man and his dog entered the choppy waters. They were then secured into a rescue basket, which was hoisted back to the safety of the helicopter. The emotional climax of the video captures the man, dog in arms, exchanging high-fives with their rescuers.

Following the rescue, the man and his dog were transported to Southwest Florida International Airport, where they received medical attention. According to the Coast Guard, both were in good medical condition despite the ordeal. The sailboat itself remains adrift and disabled, posing another challenge for the authorities.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend area as a formidable Category 4 storm later that evening, bringing with it life-threatening storm surges, high winds, and torrential rains. The storm was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved inland. This marked the fourth hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast this year, adding to the region’s turbulent weather season.