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

Helene has been downgraded to a tropical depression but it is still bringing catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flooding to the Southeast. People should be prepared for flash flooding, river flooding and landslides.

Busick, in western North Carolina, recorded nearly 30 inches of rain this week from Helene and a previous storm.

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 expected to continue to weaken and stall over the Tennessee and Ohio valleys this weekend, bringing more heavy rain, gusty winds and flooding.

A flood watch is in effect from Missouri to Virginia. Up to 6 inches of rain is possible in some areas.

A tornado watch is also in effect for parts of North Carolina and Virginia. Several tornadoes have already been reported in North Carolina.

When dangerous floodwaters quickly surrounded Tennessee’s Unicoi County Hospital and seeped inside the building, many inside could no longer be safely evacuated and were forced to relocate to the roof, according to the hospital.

Fifty-four people are trapped on the roof and seven are in rescue boats, according to Ballad Health.

"The flooding of the property happened so quickly the ambulances could not safely approach the hospital," hospital officials said. It was too dangerous for boats to evacuate the hospital, and due to the high winds, helicopters can’t help with evacuations, officials said.

"The situation at the hospital is very dangerous," officials said. State and local rescuers "are engaged in what can only be described as a dangerous rescue operation."

-ABC News’ Alexandra Faul

Vice President Kamala Harris was briefed again Friday on Hurricane Helene, a White House official said.

"Over 1,500 federal personnel have been deployed to the region, including 930 Urban Search and Rescue workers, as well medical teams and power restoration teams," the White House official said. "The Administration stands ready to provide additional support as needed and remains in close touch with officials at the state and local level."

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement, “Our hearts break for the families who have lost loved ones, for those who have lost their homes and businesses, and for those who are otherwise suffering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.”

Over 900 flights have been canceled nationwide on Friday.

The airports facing the most cancellations are Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Tampa International Airport in Florida.

The Tampa airport, which was closed all day Thursday, has since reopened.