Helene -- which was downgraded to a tropical storm early on Friday -- made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in the Big Bend region of Florida with 140 mph winds.
The United States Coast Guard has rescued a man and his dog as Hurricane Helene fast approached them when his boat became disabled and started taking on water 25 miles out to sea, officials said.
The Category 4 hurricane is forecast to make landfall along Florida's Big Bend on Thursday night with 120 mph winds. Florida, Georgia and North Carolina are bracing for its arrival.
