LIVE: Helene causing historic flooding, 100+ rescues reported in NC

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CHARLOTTE ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — Governor Cooper and state leaders continue to urge North Carolina residents to monitor dangerous conditions from Helene, stay off roads in the western part of the state except in cases of emergency, and listen to local officials.

Conditions across the foothills and mountains continued to deteriorate overnight and during the morning. Helene has brought significant rainfall, strong winds, damaging debris flows, and riverine flooding . Western North Carolina has received heavy rain that has caused widespread power outages and life-threatening flash flooding across the mountains.

More than a foot of rain has fallen across much of western North Carolina with the highest reported total of 29.5 inches in Busick Raws, in Yancey County.

“For western North Carolina, do not travel unless there is an emergency,” Governor Cooper said on Friday. “Because conditions are worsening, people in western North Carolina should consider all roads closed unless you are seeking higher ground. I urge people to stay informed and listen to local emergency response officials.”

More than 359 North Carolina roads have been reported closed in Western North Carolina and the NC Department of Transportation is working to respond to closures and damage.

More than 30 North Carolina Swift Water Teams along with teams from seven additional states are currently engaged in response and have reported more than 100 rescues so far. There are increasing numbers of flash flood emergencies across the mountains with significant flooding occurring in many areas. Currently, 18 shelters have opened in impacted counties.

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