Video showing heroic US Coast Guard rescuing stranded people and animals in Florida

Rescue operations are being carried out by the US Coast Guard in the state of Florida after devastating flooding has caused widespread destruction. The Gulf Coast has been hugely affected by a Category 4 hurricane, which is one of the most powerful storms recorded to date.

These operations have been mostly taking place around Sanibel Island. Coast Guard helicopters have been circling the area in search of people and animals that could be potentially stranded and in danger.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has stated that roughly 700 operations took place on Thursday of this week. A recent video from the US Coast Guard shows an aircrew performing a helicopter rescue in which they airlifted four people, a dog and three cats to safety from Sanibel Island.

There has been a major power outage and millions of the regions' homes and businesses have been affected, with many forced to operate in the dark. The state's iconic pier has also been destroyed.