Five people remained missing after a powerful storm capsized several sailboats participating in the Dauphin Island regatta on Saturday near Mobile Bay, Alabama.
The Associated Press reported Coast Guard spokesman Seth Johnson as saying searchers covered 1,150 square miles on Sunday using boats and three airplanes to find survivors.
Johnson said the Coast Guard will conduct an investigation into the weather conditions and the decision to go ahead with the race.
Family members anxious for updates gathered near a Coast Guard station.
More than 100 sailboats and as many as 200 people were participating in the regatta. The storm rolled through the area about 4 p.m. Saturday.
Randy Rutledge and his wife said they were stranded in the water for two hours before being rescued, reported Reuters.
"I said Jesus calm the waters. And the storm subsided just enough that I could keep my head up and not drink too much salt water but I had no choice but to hang on to that cushion because I had to find her," said Rutledge.
At least one person has been confirmed dead, though details were not immediately disclosed.
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