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

Swift water rescues are ongoing in Buncombe County, North Carolina, which encompasses Asheville, officials said.

Water rescue teams have conducted more than 130 missions so far, county emergency services director Taylor Jones said. Many roads in the area are impassable and major rivers remain at flood stage, Jones said.

"We are in the midst of the most significant natural disaster in our community," county manager Avril Pinder said.

Pinder urged residents to remain patient as crews work to restore cell service and power, and she asked people to avoid non-emergency calls to 911.

"Our dispatchers are overwhelmed with life-safety emergencies," Pinder said.

1:25

North Carolina first responders carry out dozens of rescues from flooding

First responders in North Carolina rescued more than 100 people on Friday with many trapped in their homes from flooding.

ABCNews.com

-ABC News’ Jason Volack

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he is "deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation" caused by Hurricane Helene.

"As the storm continues to track north, Vice President [Kamala] Harris and I remain focused on life-saving and life-sustaining response and recovery efforts," Biden said.

He also said that he will be with affected Americans "every step of the way" during recovery efforts.

"We will make certain that no resource is spared to ensure that families, businesses, schools, hospitals, and entire communities can quickly begin their road to rebuilding," Biden said.

-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart

Georgia saw a historic 11 inches of rainfall from the combination of Hurricane Helene and a storm earlier in the week.

Helene sparked flash flooding and mudslides, and destruction includes crumbled buildings, fallen trees and downed power lines, officials said.

From the air, Gov. Brian Kemp said the damage "looks like a bomb went off."

Seventeen people have been killed from Helene in Georgia and officials warned "that number will most likely climb as a result of … the cleanup process, due to dangerous situations."

Georgia Power CEO Kim Greene said Helene caused "an unprecedented level of damage." Compared to last year’s Hurricane Idalia, she said Helene caused more than double the amount of damage to the company's distribution system, and significantly more to the transmission system, complicating restoration efforts.

Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads.

"Be patient, help your neighbor, and thank these first responders," Kemp said.

Helene has left the bridge network across the Nolichucky River in Greene County, Tennessee -- along the Tennessee-North Carolina border -- severely compromised.

While the bridge on Asheville Highway remains standing, it faces significant damage. Residents south of the river, especially in the vicinity of Highway 107, are facing critical challenges, with many of them isolated cut off from basic services like food, water and medical care, officials said. Efforts are underway to bring aid to isolated areas, officials said.

Greene County is also facing a looming water crisis after the water intake at the Nolichucky River was destroyed by debris. The Tennessee Valley Authority assessed the condition of the nearby dam and declared it under "Condition Red.”

The county’s water supply is in critical condition, with only 36 to 48 hours of reserves left. The local water commission has urged residents to conserve water.

-ABC News’ Jason Volack