Hurricane Helene updates: Death toll surpasses 230 as rescue efforts continue

Mandatory evacuations are in place for some residents of Asheville in western North Carolina as "catastrophic rain" causes severe flooding in the region.

Over 100 people have been rescued from the rising waters and numerous landslides have been reported during the "fierce storm," North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Friday.

Cooper said the "priority now is saving lives."

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North Carolina faces flooding emergency

WTVD's Tamara Scott has the latest on the storm's impact.

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"People in western North Carolina should consider all roads closed unless you are seeking higher ground," he said.

Parts of North Carolina have recorded up to 15 inches of rain, with more expected through Friday. Some areas are expecting as much as 20 inches

-ABC News’ Max Golembo and Matt Foster

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.

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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.

JoAnn Martino

"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.