Hurricane Helene live updates: 26 dead across the South

Helene is bringing catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flooding to the Southeast on Friday morning. Flash flood emergencies are in effect in five states: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Helene is forecast to drop another 3 to 6 inches of rain on the central and southern Appalachians, bringing rain totals to 6 to 12 inches, with isolated totals around 20 inches

Residents should be prepared for flash flooding, urban flooding, river flooding and landslides.

Meanwhile, water levels are receding along Florida’s Gulf Coast after Hurricane Helene’s intense storm surge. Water levels reached more than 15 feet above ground level in some areas.

Helene is currently at tropical storm strength and is located over the Blue Ridge Mountains along the North Carolina-Tennessee border.

The storm is expected to slow down soon and stall over the Tennessee Valley Friday night and through the weekend, dropping another 6 inches of rain.

A flash flood emergency has been issued in Atlanta, where 4 to 6 inches of rain has fallen so far.

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Flooding from Helene prompts water rescues in Georgia

ABC News’ Faith Abubey reports as the now-tropical storm continues to batter the Southeast.

More than 25 people have been rescued from life-threatening floodwaters in Atlanta, officials said.

Unexpected swift currents trapped a family of two adults and an infant on top of their car, and crews used a rope and a boat to help them to safety, Atlanta Fire Rescue said.

Another 1 or 2 inches of rain is possible, and the rainfall rate is expected to be 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour, the National Weather Service said.

Residents are urged to seek higher ground.

Atlanta Public Schools are closed on Friday.

Flash flood emergencies are also in effect in Asheville, North Carolina, and Clemson, South Carolina.

-ABC News' Faith Abubey

JoAnn Martino told ABC News the water reached 2 feet inside her home in St. Pete Beach, Florida, just outside of St. Petersburg.

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Florida resident on Helene: 'The water came in from everywhere'

JoAnn Martino told ABC News the water reached 2 feet inside her home in St. Pete Beach, Florida, just outside of St. Petersburg.

"The water came in from everywhere all at once," she said.

"After using all our funds to rebuild after [Hurricane] Ian [in 2022], we just don't know what we will do this time," she said. "We've lost everything again."

-ABC News’ Helena Skinner

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa, Florida, released dramatic video showing the moment one of its deputies rescued a teenage girl who was trapped in her car in rising floodwaters. The deputy lifted her out of her car and drove her to safety.